Retail Theft (Shoplifting)

Most attorneys will lead you to believe that Retail Theft is a serious crime. Every crime should be treated seriously and you should almost never face criminal charges without an experienced criminal defense attorney such as Pittsburgh Retail Theft Attorney Robert E. Mielnicki or Pittsburgh Retail Theft Attorney Karissa N. Murphy.

A first offense Retail Theft, however, can often go away by attending a class or completing community service. Most first offense Retail Theft charges are summary offenses. Even if convicted of a summary offense, you can expunge such a charge in Pennsylvania, if you are free of arrest or conviction for a period of 5 years.

Many second offenses can be sealed after a period of time so that employers or potential employers will not be able to see that you were charged. It is best though to get the charge withdrawn, dismissed or reduced.

By hiring an experienced criminal attorney like Pittsburgh Retail Theft Attorney Robert E. Mielnicki or Pittsburgh Retail Theft Attorney Karissa N. Murphy, you increase your chances of having the charges withdrawn, dismissed or reduced.

Some retailers use facial recognition procedures that often result in innocent people being cited for Retail Theft. Some retailers “jump the gun” and detain and eventually charge people for Retail Theft before they leave the store, based solely on the way they carried the merchandise in the store, which might have been completely innocent on their part. A Retail Theft charge can be won.

“Excellent. I was very pleased with the outcome of my hearing and the way Karrissa represented me. I would recommend her to anyone in need of a good attorney.”
Posted by Ron on Avvo on January 24, 2019

GRADING OF RETAIL THEFT CHARGES IN PENNSYLVANIA

• A first retail theft charge is a summary offense when the merchandise is worth less than $150.
• Retail theft is a misdemeanor of the second degree when the offense is a second offense and the merchandise is worth less than $150.
• Retail Theft is a misdemeanor of the first degree when the offense is a first or second offense and the merchandise is worth more than $150
• Retail Theft is a felony of the third degree when it is a third or subsequent offense or if the merchandise has a value exceeding $1,000 or is a firearm or motor vehicle.

Retail Theft is obviously what is charged when someone leaves a store with merchandise without paying for it. It is also illegal to alter labels and price tags in order to pay less for merchandise, transfer merchandise to a different container in order to pay less, destroy inventory control strips and other tracking mechanisms, and under-ring an item on the cash register.

Mielnicki & Stiffler, LLC has handled hundreds of cases involving Retail Theft with successful outcomes for their clients.

To speak with an attorney committed to providing you with the best possible defense, for a reasonable fee, contact Mielnicki & Stiffler, LLC at (412) 330-1000.