Impersonating a Public Servant Charges in Pennsylvania

Pretending to be a public servant with the intent to convince someone to act on your pretense and submit to your feigned authority is a serious crime in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you put on a police badge you bought online and then go to a store, take a TV, and tell the cashier you don’t need to pay because you are on official police business, you can be charged with impersonating a public servant.

If you have been arrested or you are being questioned by law enforcement for impersonating an officer of the law, it’s important that you speak with an experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer who can learn about your legal situation and protect your rights through this process.

Penalties for Impersonating a Public Servant

In Pennsylvania, impersonating a public servant is typically a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

Hiring an Experienced Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer

Whether you have been formally charged or you suspect that law enforcement considers you a suspect, it’s best to have experienced counsel on your side to ensure that your best interests are represented.

If you are being investigated for impersonating an officer, an attorney can stop further police questioning unless he or she is in the room with you, protect your rights and have illegally obtained evidence suppressed, and understand why law enforcement is questioning you. In many instances, our Pittsburgh attorneys have been able to prevent our clients from being charged altogether.

If you have been arrested or charged with impersonating an officer, it’s important that you hire an attorney immediately. Otherwise, a conviction will mean:

• A permanent criminal record
• Prison time of up to two years
• A fine of up to $5,000
• Possible difficulty obtaining or maintaining employment
• Possibly difficulty obtaining or maintaining child custody
• Possible loss of professional licensure