Theft by Unlawful Taking Convictions Avoided

A young student who was attending a prestigious college in the Northeast found himself charged in two theft by unlawful taking cases in Allegheny County. One case involved a misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking charge related to a break-in at a home in Shadyside. The alleged burglar took $300 in cash. The student was connected to the cash, but there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him with the burglary of the home. The second case involved a felony theft by unlawful taking charge related to the alleged theft of more than $2,500 in property.

The young student’s future would have been jeopardized by having theft by unlawful taking convictions on his record, or having to leave school to serve time in jail. He called Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC for help.

Pittsburgh defense lawyer Samir Sarna represented him in court and was able to get the misdemeanor theft charge dismissed via Rule 586, a rule that allows for a charge of a non-violent offense to be dismissed when prosecutors agree, costs and restitution are paid, and there’s no harm to the public interest.

By getting the misdemeanor theft charge dismissed, attorney Sarna then was able to get the felony theft charge resolved through an alternative disposition program. The student kept his record clean of the theft by unlawful taking convictions, and will be able to get the charges expunged once he completes the ARD program.

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.