Facing shoplifting charges in Bucks County or a neighboring county? You’re not alone, and there are steps we can take to protect your record. As a Bucks County shoplifting lawyer, I will help you deal with the police, the court and the prosecutor.
Facing Shoplifting Charges? Don’t Panic: I Can Help
Why Choose me to Fight Your Case
I have aggressively represented people in over 1,500 shoplifting cases in Bucks County and the surrounding Pennsylvania Counties. I offer:
- Free Review of Your Case
- Simple Pricing: You Know the Full Cost Upfront
- Payment Plans Available
- Available 24/7: Immediate Access to a Lawyer When You Need It Most
- Success: I Have a Record of Winning Shoplifting Cases for Over 15 years
My Proven Process for Fighting Shoplifting Charges
Whether it’s your first case or a second or third case, I will fight for you. I’ll carefully review the police reports, witness statements, and surveillance video to identify weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case. I will build a defense strategy focused on either dismissing or reducing the charges.
Understanding Pennsylvania Shoplifting Laws
Is Shoplifting a Felony in Pennsylvania?
Yes, under certain circumstances. One of the most common questions clients ask me is: When is shoplifting a felony? Under the Pennsylvania shoplifting law, shoplifting is a felony if:
- The police charge you with shoplifting an item of any value, and you have two prior shoplifting convictions
- The police accuse you of shoplifting merchandise with a value of over $1,000
- The police say you took part in organized retail theft
- The police accuse you of shoplifting a firearm
- The police charge you with stealing a car from a car business
It’s also important to know that a lawyer can often get a felony charge changed to a less serious charge. Look at the retail theft punishment chart below to see if your case could qualify as felony shoplifting.
The High Cost of a Shoplifting Conviction in PA
My Proven Strategies to Get Your Shoplifting Charges Dismissed or Reduced
There are many different legal defenses that can be used to fight your shoplifting case. The most common shoplifting defenses are shown in the chart below.
Negotiating for Reduced Charges
In many cases, it is possible to negotiate with the police or prosecutor to get the shoplifting charge reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor or a misdemeanor to a summary offense. In my experience, the prosecutor will reduce shoplifting charges for the following reasons:
- The prosecutor has a weak case (questionable or unreliable evidence)
- You completed a shoplifter awareness program
- You pay restitution to the retail store in court through a money order or certified bank check
- Your shoplifting case was drug or alcohol related, and you are in active treatment
- Your retail theft case was due to a mental health condition, and you are participating in counseling
Shoplifting First-Offender Diversion Programs
Many shoplifting cases can be resolved through entering into a first-time offender program. Most shoplifting first-offender programs require the applicant to pay court costs, complete community service, and pay restitution, if applicable.
Examples of the different retail theft diversion programs include:
Will I Go to Jail for Shoplifting First Offense
No. In Bucks County and in other Pennsylvania Counties, first-offense shoplifting cases are resolved through diversion programs or court-ordered probation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Lawyer for Shoplifting?
Yes. A lawyer can discuss all possible legal defenses and conduct an investigation of the incident. In most cases, a lawyer can help you avoid getting a criminal record and jail.
What Are My Rights When Accused of Shoplifting?
As a lawyer for shoplifting, I’ve seen that most people don’t know what to expect if they’re caught shoplifting from a store. So, it’s important to know your rights if someone says you shoplifted. These rights include:
- You don’t have to talk to store security or give a written statement to any store employees
- You have the right to refuse to talk about the incident. You can take the Fifth
- You don’t have to sign anything that says you stole from the store
- Store security employees cannot be physically or verbally abusive to you
- You can refuse to sign any legal papers from the store related to financial penalties you owe or no trespass letters
Don’t go back to the store to try to pay for items you supposedly stile. The prosecutor may use that against you as proof you shoplifted the items.
What Are the Most Common Charges for Shoplifting?
In nearly all of the shoplifting cases I have worked on, the police file only two charges:
- Retail theft; and
- Receiving stolen property
Can You Get Caught Shoplifting After Leaving Store Days Later?
Yes, the police might charge you with shoplifting even after you leave the store. Sometimes, the police can quickly find out who you are by watching store surveillance videos of the current theft or videos of a previous incident at the same store.
How Long Does a Shoplifting Investigation Take?
The police usually complete shoplifting investigations very quickly. Things move fast if they catch you in or just outside the store. Store workers will hold you, and the loss prevention people will quickly call the police.
The police will interview all witnesses, gather any surveillance video, and write a police report about the incident. The police will issue a citation (summary offense), or summons (misdemeanor charge), or warrant (felony offense) within a week.
What is the Shoplifting Court Procedure in Bucks County?
If the police arrest you at the store for a felony shoplifting charge, they will take you to the police department for booking and then take you before a judge for your first appearance. The judge will set bail and provide you with a copy of the criminal charges.
For summary and misdemeanor retail theft charges, the police will send you a summons in the mail.
What Do I Do if I Have a Shoplifting Warrant?
- Hire an experienced Bucks County shoplifting lawyer
- Set up a time to turn yourself in to the local police department or state police barracks
- Go through the fingerprinting and processing
- Your lawyer will appear at the district court to argue for reasonable or unsecured bail
- Go before a judge, who will tell you what you are charged with, your bail amount, and next court date
Can Petty Theft Charges be Dropped?
Yes. Most petty theft shoplifting cases can be dismissed through the completion of community service, shoplifter counseling, participation in a community panel, and payment of restitution, if applicable.
What Does the Judge Ask in Court When You Shoplifted
The two main questions that a judge will ask if you are convicted of retail theft will be:
- Why did you shoplift?
- What steps have you taken to ensure that you will not shoplift again?
How Much Does a Shoplifting Lawyer Cost?
Retail theft lawyers can charge a fortune. I offer a reasonably priced legal defense for people charged with criminal shoplifting. Most clients find my shoplifting attorney fees to be within their budget.
Will Shoplifting Affect My Immigration Status?
Yes, in many cases. For example, certain shoplifting convictions can be considered a deportable offense. Also, even minor shoplifting charges may result in the revocation of a work or student visa.
How Long Does a Shoplifting Charge Stay on Your Record?
For your lifetime unless the court expunges your record or the Governor of Pennsylvania grants you a pardon.
Can Shoplifting be Expunged?
What is Petty Theft?
In Pennsylvania, shoplifting merchandise valued at $149 or less is petty theft, classified as a summary offense.
What Are the Penalties for Petty Theft?
- Up to 90 days in jail
- Fine between $25 and $300
- Court costs
- Payment of restitution to the retailer if merchandise was removed from the store
Can Petty Theft Charges be Dropped
Yes. Most petty theft shoplifting cases can be dismissed through the completion of community service, shoplifter counseling, participation in a community panel, and payment of restitution, if applicable.
Bucks County Retail Theft Lawyer
Did the police accuse you of shoplifting in Bucks County or the neighboring Pennsylvania Counties? You will likely look for lawyers who handle shoplifting cases near you. It is very important to get a lawyer fast. I will will safeguard your rights, look at all possible defenses, and see if the case can be dropped.
Call me at (215) 752-5282 at any time or use the contact form for a quick call back.
