Dismissal of Theft Charges: How We Saved a Client Through a Diversionary Program
Usually, when we receive theft cases at Logue Law Group, a majority of them happen to be petty thefts. However, recently, we received a theft case that left our experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyers befuddled!
Wonder why? Well, let’s stick with this blog till the end to know it all.
A Misunderstanding that Escalated Quickly
It so happened that Mr. Finn, a Chicago-based lawyer, was visiting his parents in Philadelphia for the weekend. Upon landing at the Philadelphia International Airport, he booked a cab to his home.
However, he completely forgot that he wasn’t carrying any cash with him. So, upon reaching the destination, he requested the cab driver to charge the amount from his debit card. But the cab driver refused his request and straight away called the police, complaining that Mr. Finn failed to pay his cab fare. And before our client would take any further step, he received a call from the police, who stated that he was being levied with theft charges.
What are the Consequences?
Apparently, failing to pay for a cab might look like a small mistake. However, it is a serious offense in Philadelphia.
What’s worse is that such offenses are treated as theft or fraud cases, which might result in criminal charges. Added to that, you might also face hefty fines, court costs, and, in fact, might also face a license suspension and imprisonment!
And being an out-of-state resident, it would have been even more difficult for Mr. Finn to tackle the charges. So, he decided to hire our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers to help him out.
What Did We Do?
When our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers heard the case, we immediately knew that this was a simple misunderstanding that had been escalated. Added to that, Mr. Finn was an out-of-state resident and a lawyer by profession! So, a successful case would not only help him but also increase our reputation as a legal firm as well!
Therefore, we decided to be transparent with our client and keep him updated with every step of the process. At first, we had to make sure to keep him out of jail. So, the first thing we did was negotiate with the prosecution to get our client enrolled in a diversionary program.
Now, theft charges are usually frowned upon by the court. But after hearing the entire case, the court decided to grant our client’s eligibility for the diversionary program. This automatically dismissed the theft charges against our client.
However, that wasn’t the end. Our client would still have a criminal record against his name, which he couldn’t afford owing to his job profile and his reputation in Chicago. So, our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers also helped guarantee an expungement for him. Once he completes the requirements of the diversionary program, his case will be eligible for expungement.
You never know how small misunderstandings can lead to severe consequences. And if you choose to ignore it instead of facing it, you might as well be running the risks of facing a permanent criminal record against your name! So, if you, or someone you know, is facing accusations of theft or fraud charges, don’t just sit back and blame your fate! Make sure to call us at 412-387-6901 and book a free consultation ASAP.