Philadelphia Retail Theft Defense Lawyer Free Consultation

Serving Bucks County, Northeast Philadelphia, & Montgomery County

Being stopped for shoplifting is scary, and what you do in the first few days can make a real difference in how your case turns out. A Philadelphia retail theft lawyer can step in right away, look at what the store and police actually have against you, and start building a defense before your first court date.

If you’ve been accused of retail theft, here’s what we suggest:

• Don’t try to explain yourself to store security or the police. Even an innocent explanation can be twisted and used against you later. Politely say you want to speak with a lawyer.
• Don’t sign anything from the store without legal advice. That includes written statements and any letter asking you to pay money to “settle” the matter.
• Write down everything you remember while it’s still fresh: the time, what you had with you, who stopped you, and anyone who saw what happened.
• Never miss a court date. Missing one can lead to a warrant and make a manageable case much harder.
• Call a defense lawyer before your hearing, not after.

Shoplifting may appear to be a victimless and trivial offense; however, it is not. From permanent records to fines and jail time, the punishments you can face after being accused of retail theft can significantly affect your life or a loved one’s.

Nevertheless, there is still hope. Especially if you are a first-time offender or someone who feels they have been wrongly accused, there are still ways to fight back.

Our Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyers at the law offices of Velter Yurovsky Zoftis Sokolson, LLC, are here to fight for you. We have experience in numerous retail theft cases, and we know how these cases move through the Philadelphia, Bucks County, and Montgomery County courts. We use that experience to protect you from the harsh realities you could face without an appropriate legal defense.

The Consequences Of Retail Theft:

Retail theft is not a petty crime to be accused of; it is a serious offense. Here at Velter Yurovsky Zoftis Sokolson, LLC, our law firm understands the severity of these retail theft charges and understands the risks they can pose to your longevity and livelihood.

Even if it's your first time being charged with retail theft, pleading guilty could have lifelong consequences. Retail Theft, even as a minimum conviction, is still considered a summary offense.

A retail theft charge is placed on your permanent record, and one that your current or future employers can request you to disclose. This could lead to job loss or prevent you from becoming employed in numerous professions.

The higher the value of the item, the more severe the potential penalties. If you have multiple offenses, each one can also increase the severity of the punishment.

More valuable items over $150.00 can result in a third-degree misdemeanor, while items such as cars or items over $2000.00 can result in a third-degree felony indictment.

If found guilty, you could face a minimum of 90 days in jail, and at most, you could serve up to seven years in prison.

These are retail theft charges you cannot afford to take lightly. The dedicated Philadelphia Retail Theft Defense Lawyers at Velter Yurovsky Zoftis Sokolson, LLC, has experience with the various degrees and nuances within retail theft laws.

We can fight for first-time offenders to receive Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) programs, resulting in no criminal record or jail time.

It may also be possible that your case was handled inappropriately—perhaps you were detained without probable cause, were not read your Miranda rights upon arrest, or there is not enough evidence to warrant your prosecution.

No matter the circumstances or reasons behind the accusation of retail theft you face, rest assured that your case will be handled with the appropriate care and consideration that it deserves. Our Criminal Defense Attorneys will provide you with the best possible defense.

Retail Theft Defense Lawyer Philadelphia

If you or a loved one have been accused of retail theft and would like to speak with an experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, about viable defense options, please call the offices of Velter Yurovsky Zoftis Sokolson LLC at 215-969-3004 to schedule a free consultation.