Multiple Theft-Related Charges Dismissed

We recently helped a woman in her mid-50s who was charged with the following offenses:

• Theft, a third-degree felony
• Conspiracy to commit theft, a third-degree felony
• Receiving stolen property, a third-degree felony
• Criminal mischief, a second-degree misdemeanor

The woman was accused of breaking into a construction site and taking materials, including copper piping, after she was stopped by a police officer at a traffic stop where some of the material was found inside of her vehicle. She sought out the help of Pittsburgh criminal lawyer Samir Sarna to represent her on this case. The woman had never been in trouble with the law before, aside from minor traffic infractions, and she maintained her innocence. Since she worked in an administrative position for a small construction company, a criminal record involving theft at a construction site would also impact her employment.

Samir attended one court date on the client’s behalf in Pittsburgh Municipal Court. Ultimately all charges were dismissed by the magistrate after the preliminary hearing. Samir’s defense focused on the lack of evidence tying the woman to the incident, as well as lack of intent. There was no evidence tying the client to the actual theft of the materials and the items could have been left in her vehicle.

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.