Facing Retail Theft Charges in Philadelphia?
One moment you’re at the self-checkout. The next, you’re being stopped by store security. Whether it’s a genuine mistake, a misunderstanding, or something more complicated, retail theft charges can flip your world upside down fast.
At Latta Law, we defend Philadelphia residents against retail theft accusations with the experience, local knowledge, and aggressive advocacy you need when your future is on the line.
What Exactly Is Retail Theft in Pennsylvania?
Retail theft isn’t just walking out of a store without paying. Pennsylvania law casts a wide net, and you might be surprised what counts as retail theft:
Concealing merchandise (even if you haven’t left the store yet), switching price tags to pay less, under-ringing items at self-checkout, destroying security tags or devices, and altering labels or packaging to deceive cashiers all qualify as retail theft under Pennsylvania law.
You don’t even have to make it out the door. Simply hiding an item in your jacket or bag can be enough for charges to stick.
How Serious Are the Penalties?
That depends on the value of the merchandise and whether you have prior convictions.
First Offense, Under $150: Summary offense—sounds minor, but it still goes on your record.
Second Offense (Any Amount): Automatic misdemeanor. The stakes just got higher.
Merchandise Over $1,000 or Third Offense: Felony charges. Now we’re talking serious jail time, hefty fines, and a permanent mark on your record.
These aren’t just legal categories. They’re the difference between a bump in the road and a roadblock that derails your career, your education, and your future.
Who Gets Charged with Retail Theft?
Everyone. College students grabbing snacks between classes. Working professionals dealing with a rough patch. Parents distracted by their kids. Seniors on fixed incomes.
Retail theft accusations don’t discriminate, and neither do the consequences. The embarrassment of being stopped by security, the stress of potential arrest, the nightmare of explaining this to your family—it happens to people from every background, often for the first time in their lives.
What Happens After a Conviction?
The courtroom penalties are just the beginning. A retail theft conviction creates a ripple effect that can destabilize everything you’ve worked for.
Employment: Background checks flag theft convictions immediately. Jobs involving money, inventory, or customer trust? Forget it.
Professional Licenses: Nurses, teachers, real estate agents, accountants—your license could be suspended or revoked.
Immigration Status: Not a U.S. citizen? Retail theft is a “crime of moral turpitude,” which can trigger deportation, block green card applications, or kill your path to citizenship.
Education: Students risk losing scholarships, facing disciplinary action, or being kicked out of programs entirely.
Housing and Loans: Landlords run background checks. Lenders do too. A theft conviction makes both infinitely harder.
International Travel: Some countries deny entry to anyone with a theft conviction on their record.
One mistake. Years of consequences.
How Do You Fight Retail Theft Charges?
Every case is different, and the right defense depends on the details. Common strategies include challenging the evidence when store security makes mistakes, video footage has gaps, or witnesses get things wrong. We expose constitutional violations—if your rights were violated during the stop or arrest, critical evidence might get thrown out. We prove lack of intent when self-checkout errors happen, medication side effects cause confusion, or mental health issues matter. If you didn’t intend to steal, you have a defense. Sometimes the best move is negotiating reduced charges, working with prosecutors to reduce charges, enter a diversion program, or avoid a conviction altogether. And when necessary, we go to trial—if the evidence is weak or the circumstances demand it, we’re fully prepared to fight your case in court.
Why Philadelphia Experience Matters
Philadelphia’s court system isn’t like the suburbs. Center City cases get prosecuted more aggressively than cases in other parts of the city. Different judges have different tendencies. Different prosecutors handle negotiations differently.
An attorney who practices regularly in Philadelphia courts knows these nuances. We know which prosecutors negotiate, which judges show leniency to first-time offenders, and how to navigate the specific procedures that make Philly courts unique.
That local knowledge? It’s the difference between a conviction that follows you forever and a resolution that lets you move on.
Don’t Wait to Get Help
Time matters. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Opportunities for favorable outcomes close fast.
The prosecution starts building their case immediately. You need someone in your corner just as quickly. Early intervention can sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all—or result in better charges if prosecution moves forward.
Common mistakes people make include assuming a low merchandise value means you don’t need a lawyer, thinking a first offense isn’t serious, believing that because you’re guilty there’s nothing an attorney can do, and waiting too long to call for help.
Don’t fall into these traps. Even if the facts seem bad, an experienced attorney can often negotiate alternatives that avoid conviction or minimize long-term damage.
Let’s Talk About Your Case
You made a mistake—or maybe you didn’t, and this is all a misunderstanding. Either way, you don’t deserve to have one bad moment define the rest of your life.
At Latta Law, we defend Philadelphia clients against retail theft charges with the skill, local courtroom experience, and aggressive advocacy you need to protect your future.
Call Latta Law today at 215-929-6771 for a consultation. Let’s discuss what happened, what your options are, and how we can fight for the best possible outcome.
The sooner you call, the sooner we start building your defense.