Property Crimes and Theft Offenses

Some of the most common criminal charges outside of traffic offenses in Philadelphia are property and theft offenses. These offenses range from petty theft and trespassing to identity theft and arson. Not only do these offenses come with serious consequences, but a property charge or theft conviction on your record can raise questions about your trustworthiness when applying for housing, loans, or employment.

Philadelphia Theft Defense Attorney

With years of experience working in various roles within the Pennsylvania justice system, Joseph Lento is very familiar with the many facets of the system and how each one works with regard to a case. His firm, Lento Law Firm, was founded to put this insight to work for and provide quality customer service to the defendants who need it most.

To see what Joseph Lento can do for your Philadelphia property or theft offense case, call Lento Law Firm at (215) 535-5353 today for your free initial case consultation.

Property / Theft Offense Information Center

Important Definitions for Theft Cases

Conceal

To hide merchandise from ordinary observation for the purpose of theft

Deception

Create a false impression, reinforce a false impression, or fail to correct a false impression
Preventing another person from acquiring the information that would affect his or her decision
Excludes exaggerations that wouldn't deceive an ordinary person or matters that don't involve financial gain

Merchandise

Goods, items, food, wares, of any type or description, without regard to value

Writing

The printing of coins, credit cards, electronic signatures, money, tokens, seals, stamps, trademarks, or other symbols of value or identification, or any other method of recording that information

Common Property Crimes

Arson

When a person intentionally starts a fire, causes an explosion, or otherwise assists another person in committing this offense
The act of setting the fire recklessly places another person in danger
The intent of setting the fire is to damage or destroy a building or structure, whether uninhabited or occupied
The fire is set with the intention of collecting insurance money
First or second degree felony
Sentence will increase to life without parole or the death penalty if loss of life is involved in the act of arson
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3301

Bad Check Writing

When a person writes a check or provides some other payment of money with the knowledge that a closed account, insufficient funds, or any other factor will not allow payment, or if it was counterfeit
Degree of offense depends on prior offenses and the value of the bad check
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4105

Burglary

When a person enters a building or occupied structure with the intent to commit a crime within the building
Excludes buildings that are open to the public at the time of entry or persons authorized to enter the building
Felony of the first or second degree, depending on the case
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3502

Criminal Trespass

The unauthorized or unprivileged entry and/or occupation of a building or occupied structure with the knowledge that it was unauthorized or unprivileged
Felony of the second or third degree, depending on the case
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3503

Criminal Mischief

Intentionally, recklessly, or negligently damaging tangible property belonging to someone else, with or without intent to damage the person or property
Deceiving or threatening another individual into financial loss
Defacing or damaging tangible public property, or real or personal property of another
Misdemeanor or felony, depending on the value of the property
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3304

Forgery

Altering or mimicking the writing of someone else without his or her permission with the intent to defraud or injure
Degree of offense depends on what document is forged
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4101

Identity Theft

When a person uses or possesses the identification information of another person without his or her consent
Each use of the information is a separate offense
Degree of offense depends on priors and value involved in the offense
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4120

Receiving Stolen Property

Intentionally receiving, keeping, or disposing of another's movable property while knowing or believing the property was stolen
Degree of offense depends on value of the property
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3925

Retail Theft

Taking possession of or removing merchandise from a store with the intent to deprive the store of the merchandise without payment
Also applies to the alteration or removal of any security devices, tags, or labels with the intent to deprive the store of the merchandise without payment
Intent of retail theft is presumed if a person intentionally conceals merchandise with the purpose of depriving the store of the merchandise without payment
Degree of offense depends on value of the property and any priors
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3929

Theft

Also known as theft by deception
When a person obtains or keeps another person's property through deception
Degree of offense depends on value of the property
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3922

Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle

Operation of a motor vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, airplane, or watercraft without the owner's consent
Second-degree misdemeanor
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3928

Criminal Penalties

When it comes to property and theft offenses, the penalties vary greatly and are assigned based on the gravity of the offense and the value of any property involved. Additionally, the law takes in to consideration whether a weapon was used and if serious bodily injury to one or more other individuals was threatened, along with the various other factors involved in your case.

If you have been charged with a property crime or theft offense in Philadelphia, you could be facing the following maximum penalties upon conviction:

Summary Offense

90 days in jail
$300 fine

Third-Degree Misdemeanor

One year of prison
$2,500 fine

Second-degree Misdemeanor

Two years of prison
$5,000 fine

First-degree Misdemeanor

Five years of jail time
$10,000 fine

Third-degree Felony

Seven years of imprisonment
$15,000 fine

Second-degree Felony

10 years of prison time
$25,000 in fines

First-degree Felony

20 years of jail time
$25,000 in fines

Pennsylvania Property Crimes Resources

Philadelphia Police Department – This website is provided by the Philadelphia Police Department and is a good resource for safety tips and specific crime hot spots in Philadelphia. You can also file an officer complaint from this site.

Philadelphia Police Department
750 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Non-emergency phone: 311

NASP - National Association for Shoplifting Prevention – Learn about shoplifting as an addiction and educate yourself about shoplifting and retail theft on a national level through this website operated by the NASP. The NASP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing shoplifting nationwide.

Finding the Best Philadelphia Theft Attorney

If you are facing charges, contact the attorneys at Lento Law Firm. Joseph Lento will use his years of experience to guide your Philadelphia theft case through the criminal process with a customized defense strategy. To schedule your free initial consultation and find out what Lento Law Firm can do for your case, call (215) 535-5353 today.