Theft Crimes

In everyday conversation, most of us use the words “theft” and “robbery” interchangeably, but theft and robbery are actually different crimes in Pennsylvania. If you’re charged with theft in Cumberland or Dauphin County, you’ll need the help that a Lemoyne theft attorney can provide.

A theft is any unauthorized taking of another person’s property, but robbery is a specific type of theft accompanied by force or intimidation. In other words, legally speaking, in the state of Pennsylvania, all robberies are thefts, but not all thefts are robberies.

And every theft is a crime in this state. To convict someone of theft, a Pennsylvania prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant unlawfully took property that legally belonged to someone else with the intention of depriving the rightful owner of that property.

You can also be convicted of a theft charge in Pennsylvania if you accept or receive stolen property, you know it’s stolen, and you do not intend to return it to its rightful owner.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR THEFT CONVICTIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA?

The penalty for a theft conviction in this state depends on the value of the stolen property. Listed here is a brief summary of Pennsylvania’s theft laws and the penalties for theft convictions:

1. When stolen property is valued at or below $50, theft is a third-degree misdemeanor punishable upon conviction with up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
2. When stolen property is valued at more than $50 but at or below $200, theft is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable upon conviction with up to two years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
3. When stolen property is valued at more than $200 but at or below $2,000, theft is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable upon conviction with up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
4. When stolen property is valued at or above $2,000, theft is a third-degree felony punishable upon conviction with up to seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to $15,000. The theft of any motorized vehicle in Pennsylvania is also a third-degree felony.
5. If a firearm is stolen or if a theft is committed in a designated disaster situation, theft is a second-degree felony punishable upon conviction with up to ten years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000.
6. If you receive stolen property and that stolen property is a firearm, the charge is a first-degree felony punishable upon conviction with up to twenty years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000.

ARE THERE ADDITIONAL PENALTIES FOR THEFT CONVICTIONS?

The penalty for any theft conviction can be “enhanced” – that is, harsher – if a firearm was used, if a minor was involved, or if the defendant has previous criminal convictions.

The legal penalties for a theft conviction in Pennsylvania can be harsh, but there may also be “extra-legal” penalties. A theft conviction goes on your criminal record, so it can be seen by anyone who is conducting a background check.

If you hold a professional license in Pennsylvania, a theft conviction is apt to trigger disciplinary action – the suspension or revocation of your license – by your professional licensing board. If you’re an immigrant in this state, a conviction for theft could put you at risk for deportation.

CHARGED WITH THEFT? HAVING THE RIGHT ATTORNEY IS IMPERATIVE

Obviously, if you are charged with theft in this state, you will need a good defense attorney’s help. Don’t even think about trying to act as your own attorney. Too much will be at stake, and anything you say could be twisted and used against you.

If you are accused of theft in Dauphin or Cumberland County, you must contact the right Lemoyne theft attorney at once. That attorney is R. Davis Younts.

After reviewing the details of the case and the charge or charges against you, attorney R. Davis Younts will craft an effective defense strategy and fight hard for the justice you deserve. Mr. Younts has been practicing law in Pennsylvania since 2002.

HOW TO CONTACT ATTORNEY R. DAVIS YOUNTS IN LEMOYNE, PA

Criminal defense attorney R. Davis Younts is a former prosecutor, former JAG (Judge Advocate General), and a former number one-ranked Senior Defense Counsel in the U.S. Air Force. He knows what’s required to bring your theft case to its best possible conclusion.

If you’re accused of theft, promptly schedule a meeting with attorney R. Davis Younts. Every defense attorney needs time to investigate a theft charge and develop an effective defense strategy.

Call attorney R. Davis Younts at (833) 739-5291 or (717) 612-4840. His law offices are located in Lemoyne at 26 North Ninth Street. If you are charged with theft, burglary, or shoplifting, it’s your right to have a good defense lawyer’s help.

Theft Crimes