AWARDS: $2,350,000 award to automobile accident wrongful death plaintiffs • jury acquittal – double criminal homicide • $1,000,000 award to motorcycle accident wrongful death plaintiffs • jury acquittal – criminal homicide • $465,000 award to medical malpractice plaintiff • jury acquittal – criminal homicide, recklessly endangering another person, neglect of a care dependent person • $325,000 federal jury verdict, UIM and insurance bad faith award to automobile accident plaintiffs • jury acquittal – attempted criminal homicide • $300,000 award to medical malpractice plaintiff • jury acquittal- attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon • $300,000 award to automobile accident/ products liability plaintiffs • jury acquittal – homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle DUI, aggravate assault by vehicle • $115,000 award to truck accident plaintiff • jury acquittal – murder, rape • $100,000 non-jury trial verdict to facial laceration plaintiff • jury acquittal – 1st degree Murder (capital case) • $90,000 award to premises liability/slip-and-fall plaintiff • jury acquittal – DUI, terroristic threats, carrying firearms without a license • $440,000 award to civil rights violation plaintiff • jury acquittal – theft, receiving stolen property • $135,000 award to civil rights violation plaintiff • jury acquittal – possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (PWI) • $636,000 jury verdict in plaintiffs’ medical malpractice case • jury acquittal – indecent assault, indecent exposure • $550,000 award in plaintiffs’ personal injury case • juvenile case acquittal- solicitation to commit aggravated assault, aggravated assault of unborn child • $250,000 award to mass transit accident plaintiff • jury acquittal – theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy • $130,000 award to premises liability/slip-and-fall plaintiffs • court-appointed appellate counsel – Supreme Court of Pennsylvania reversal of rape conviction • $465,000 award to automobile accident plaintiff • jury acquittal – aggravated assault • $125,000 award to automobile accident plaintiff • jury acquittal – DUI • non-jury acquittal – dismissal of armed robbery charges • $170,000 award to automobile accident plaintiffs • successful jury verdict in defense of attorney charged with legal malpractice in professional liability case • $140,000 award to injured bicyclist plaintiff • non-jury acquittal – dismissal of 2 counts of criminal homicide • $180,000 award to employment discrimination plaintiff • jury acquittal – indecent exposure • non-jury custody trial – award of primary physical and legal custody of minor to paternal grandparents over natural mother • juvenile decertification petition granted to criminal homicide charges – release at age 21 • non-jury custody trial – award of primary physical and legal custody of minor to father • jury acquittal – DUI • $90,000 award to automobile accident plaintiffs • non-jury custody trial – award of primary physical and legal custody of minor to mother • $50,000 jury verdict for plaintiff- passenger in automobile accident case • non-jury custody trial – award of primary physical and legal custody of minor to father • hung jury – Arson trial (no criminal punishment imposed) • $265,000 award to premises liability plaintiff • jury acquittal – delivery of a controlled substance • $125,000 award to premises liability plaintiff • jury acquittal – DUI • $190,000 award to products liability plaintiff • $150,000 award to premises liability/construction accident plaintiff • $750,000 award to prison medical malpractice and civil rights violation plaintiff • $90,000 award to automobile accident plaintiffs • $108,500 award to automobile accident plaintiff • $80,000 award to automobile accident plaintiff • $150,000 award to truck accident plaintiffs.
Pennsylvania Theft and Related Offenses Attorneys
What crimes are included in Pennsylvania’s Theft and Related Offenses statutes?
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, theft and related offenses are defined in Chapter 39 of the Crimes Code and include:
What Are The Grades And Penalties Of Pennsylvania's Theft Offenses
The penalties for a theft conviction can be severe, and depend upon the grading of the theft offense. Theft offenses are graded as follows:
- Felony of the first degree: theft can rise to the grade of a felony of the first degree if, in the case of receiving stolen property, the property received, retained or disposed of is a firearm, and the receiver is in the business of buying or selling stolen property; or the amount involved is $500,000 or more. A first degree felony is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of more than 10 years and/or a fine not exceeding $25,000.
- Felony of the second degree: theft can rise to the grade of a felony of the second degree if certain theft offenses are committed during a manmade, natural or war-caused disaster; or the property stolen is a firearm; or in the case of receiving stolen property the property received, retained or disposed of is a firearm; or the property stolen is any amount of anhydrous ammonia; or the amount involved is $100,000 or more but less than $500,000. A felony of the second degree is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years and/or a fine not exceeding $25,000.
- Felony of the third degree: theft can rise to the grade of a felony of the third degree if the amount involved exceeds $2000, or if the property stolen is an automobile, airplane, motorcycle, motorboat or other motor-propelled vehicle, or in the case of theft by receiving stolen property, if the receiver is in the business of buying or selling stolen property. A felony of the third degree is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment not greater than 7 years and/or a fine not exceeding $15,000.
- Misdemeanor of the first degree: theft not within the subsections described above constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree, except that if the property was not taken from the person or by threat, or in breach of a fiduciary obligation, and the amount involved was $50 or more but less than $200, the offense constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree. If the amount involved was less than $50 the offense constitutes a misdemeanor of the third degree.
What are the penalties for misdemeanor offenses
(1) A misdemeanor of the first degree is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than 5 years, and/or a fine not exceeding $10,000.
(2) A misdemeanor of the second degree is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than 2 years, and/or a fine not exceeding $5,000.
(3) A misdemeanor of the third degree is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than 1 year, and/or a fine not exceeding $2,500.
charged with a theft offense? the highly skilled and experienced trial lawyers at Charles Law Offices can help!
In light of the potential severe punishment and long-term consequences for a conviction of a theft offense, it is imperative that the accused retain as soon as possible a highly skilled trial attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable in such areas as the law of search and seizure; federal and state constitutional law; evidence; unlawful police conduct and tactics; pleading and motion practice, including suppression motions; pretrial investigation, preparation, and strategy; presentation and rebuttal of relevant scientific, forensic, biological, and mental health evidence and experts; preservation of the record and issues for appellate review; post-conviction litigation in state and federal courts; and any other relevant state and federal law.
Since the 1970’s, Attorneys Dennis G. Charles and Fredrick E. Charles of the Charles Law Offices have successfully defended people charged with felony and misdemeanor theft offenses throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Their excellent legal training, pretrial investigation, preparation, trial and appellate skills have enabled them to uncover and remedy illegal searches and seizures and other unlawful police conduct, resulting in successful outcomes for clients charged with serious felony and misdemeanor theft offenses in Pennsylvania and federal courts.
If you, or a loved one, have been charged with a felony theft offense or a misdemeanor theft offense, rely upon the legal knowledge, training, trial skills and incomparable experience of Attorneys Dennis G. Charles and Fredrick E. Charles of the Charles Law Offices to zealously defend and represent your legal interests at the highest level. When your freedom and reputation are on the line, you can’t afford anything less!
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with a lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the attorneys at Charles Law Offices.
A Family History of Devotion to
Law and Public Service
Law and Public Service
The Charles Brothers’ devotion to the law is derived from a family history in the legal system and of service to others. Their father, Charles “Chink” Charles (depicted in the lower left-hand corner of the photograph) held a 35 year career in law enforcement, and was selected to serve as the personal bodyguard for former United States Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard M. Nixon and Lyndon B. Johnson during their campaign visits to Allentown.
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