If you have been charged with retail theft (shoplifting) in Northampton County, PA, you need an experienced lawyer to defend your case. A conviction for this charge can have a significant impact on you or your child's future.
No matter the circumstances of your particular case, an experienced Northampton County Retail Theft attorney can ensure your rights are protected through the use of a uniquely tailored legal defense.
Retail Theft in Northampton County, PA
The most common version of retail theft is defined by 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3929(a)(1). It is considered the taking possession of, carrying away, or transferring of any merchandise displayed, held, stored, or offered for sale by any store or other mercantile establishment with the intent to deprive the merchant of such merchandise without paying the full retail value, or otherwise causing such offense to happen.
Retail theft can also occur in a number of other ways and varieties. These include:
- the removal, destruction, or deactivation of any inventory control tag or other type of security device with the intent to deprive the merchant all or part of the full retail value of the product
- the intentional under-ringing of merchandise at less than full retail value
- the transfer of any store merchandise from its original container into another with the intent to deprive the merchant of the retail value of the merchandise
- the transfer, alteration, removal of any label, price tag, or other indicator of value of store items with the intent to deprive the owner all or part of the retail value of the merchandise
If a person is convicted of any of these variations of the offense, the potential for harsh penalties is high without a good legal defense.
Penalties for Retail Theft in Pennsylvania
The possible penalties depend on the circumstances of your unique case but depend greatly on the value of the merchandise that was allegedly taken.
If the property was less than $150 in value, and this is a first offense, the penalties include up to a $300 fine and 90 days in jail. A second offense for this same value raises to a second-degree misdemeanor and carries up to a $5,000 fine and 2 years in jail.
If the property is of a value between $150 and $2,000, it is a first-degree misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $10,000 and 5 years in jail.
The offense will become a felony if it is a person's third offense or more or if the merchandise's value exceeds $2,000. This third-degree felony carries up to $15,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison.
Consult an Experienced Northampton County Retail Theft and Shoplifting Attorney
Our Criminal Law Team is ready to put our years of experience to work for you. We will craft a unique defense to protect your constitutional rights.
If you have been arrested and charged with retail theft in Pennsylvania, an experienced Northampton County Retail Theft attorney will fight for your constitutional rights. Call (888) 535-3686 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation of your case.
