QUESTION
Can I be accused of a second retail theft charge if the first one was dismissed?
Asked on Apr 28th, 2019 on Criminal Law - Pennsylvania
More details to this question:
I was accused of shoplifting after accidental missing items at self checkout. Under $50. I previously had another retail theft charge from another incident at kohl’s. I did a class and was told the charges were dismissed. If I lose this case, would it be charged as a second offense?
1 ANSWER
The retail theft statute requires a prior conviction to escalate the charges. Your question is not entirely correct, you could be charged as a second offense, but by law you should not be convicted. So if you lose the case you are currently fighting it would be a first offense.
Answered on Jun 17th, 2019 at 8:05 AM