Felony Theft by Unlawful Taking Charge Withdrawn

A young man in his 20s who works for a local school district got in over his head with a debt. He got involved with the wrong people, who demanded immediate payment of the money he owed. The young man panicked and pawned about $4,000 worth of school district property to settle his debt. He ended up being charged with felony theft by unlawful taking because of the dollar amount involved. Theft by unlawful taking also can be charged as a misdemeanor when smaller dollar amounts are involved.

The young school employee knew he faced serious consequences if convicted, and turned to our capable Pittsburgh criminal defense attorneys for help. Attorney Mike Worgul represented him in court and attempted negotiations with the prosecutor. The young man had a previous DUI, for which he received ARD. Because of his prior record and the seriousness of the felony theft by unlawful taking charge, the prosecutor at first was unwilling to offer any acceptable resolution of the case.

Attorney Worgul prepared to take the case to trial, even though the case for the young man’s defense was not strong. That the victim of the felony theft by unlawful taking was a school district made for a bleak outlook.

However, through strong preparation and hard work, attorney Worgul was able to convince the prosecutor to drop the felony theft by unlawful taking charge if the young man repaid the school district. The charges were withdrawn, and attorney Worgul is in the process of expunging the felony theft by unlawful taking charge from the young man’s record.

Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case.