In PA, retail theft is a grading offense and can result in any of several graded offenses and different penalties. The laws for theft and robbery grading are extensive, complex, and frequently misunderstood by defendants as well as less experienced attorneys. An individual without any prior retail theft charges is accused of and fingerprinted for a retail theft in the amount of $100 which could result in: Summary Offense Maximum of 90 days incarceration; $300 fine. Because jail time is rare, this may seem like a best-case scenario. However, a retail theft offense in PA will stay on your criminal record unless later removed under certain circumstances and specific legal procedures. This is true even of a summary conviction for shoplifting. A person without a prior or with one prior retail theft conviction is accused of and fingerprinted for a retail theft in the amount of $150 which could result in: Misdemeanor 1 Maximum sentence of 5 years incarceration; Up to a $10,000 fine. The above exemplifies how serious shoplifting offenses in PA are taken. What most would characterize as “petty theft” is heavily penalized in the Commonwealth. When facing retail theft charges, you will want and need a criminal defense attorney who knows how local judges and prosecutors operate within these laws. Fingerprinting is mandated in Pennsylvania for a retail theft in order to store the offense in a statewide database so that theft grading is maintained for any subsequent retail theft charges. In general, higher retail values coupled with any prior retail theft convictions results in heavier punishments. These can mean felony charges for someone with 3 prior convictions, or with stolen goods over $2,000. Tibbott & Richardson 1040 Fifth Avenue, Fourth Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412) 444-7171 https://www.tibbottrichardson.com/