Theft Lawyer Located in Luzerne County
Also Serving Lackawanna, Monroe, Columbia, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Schuylkill, Carbon, Pike, and Wayne counties
When someone is charged with theft or any related crimes, they need experienced legal defense to protect their rights and fight for their freedom. The Law Office of William I. Abraham has spent over 20 years giving trusted legal counsel and vigorous defense to those facing charges for theft. Our Luzerne County theft lawyer understand the complexities and nuances of Pennsylvania law and process, and can guide defendants with deep professionalism and knowledge.
From our Luzerne County office, we serve the counties of Lackawanna, Columbia, Monroe, and beyond. Call the Law Office of William I. Abraham today at (570) 762-9988 or reach out here online to set up a free consultation.
The Legal Definition of Theft
Theft is often conflated with related crimes, such as burglary and robbery. But legally, these three crimes are distinctly different.
- Theft occurs when someone unlawfully takes property that does not belong to them, with the intent of depriving the rightful owner.
- Burglary, on the other hand, involves breaking and entering into premises without permission, for the purpose of committing a crime.
- Robbery is similar to burglary; however, it involves using force or intimidation to take something from another person.
All three crimes involving allegations of taking someone else’s property, but the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident are all very different. This impacts everything from the penalties involved with conviction to the legal strategies used for the defense.
Contact the Luzerne County theft attorney at the Law Office of William I. Abraham by calling (570) 762-9988 or through filling out our online contact form today.
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Penalties for Theft
The value of the property stolen is the key variable in determining what potential penalties a defendant may face for theft.
If the property stolen is valued at less than $50, the offender will face third-degree misdemeanor charges. It’s important to note that even this comparatively light charge can still result in up to one year in jail, depending on the inclinations of the judge and a defendant’s prior record.
When the property stolen is valued between $50 and $200, the charge can escalate to a second-degree misdemeanor, which increases the maximum penalty to two years behind bars. Property valued up to $2,000 can result in first-degree misdemeanor charges and as long as five years in jail.
The threshold for felony charges is at $2,000. Any theft from this point up to $100,000 can be a third-degree felony, which can result in prison sentences as long as seven years. Further escalation to second and first-degree charges can depend on the circumstances surrounding the theft (i.e., taking a firearm) and the value of the property taken, all the way up to $500,000 more. Prison sentences can go for up to 20 years.
Defendants should know that there is considerable flexibility on the side of law enforcement, both in terms of the charges sought, and the sentences applied. How that flexibility is exercised might come down to how good the defendant’s Luzerne County theft lawyer is. And, of course, there is no sentence at all, when charges get dropped or acquittal is secured at trial. That’s the objective, our considerable experience, knowledge, and legal savvy is always being leveraged.
