Obtaining your professional license is an accomplishment you should be proud of. However, your license and career could be on the line if you face theft charges. If you are convicted, your license could be revoked, or you could be barred from continuing to hold your professional license.

Understanding how your professional license will be affected by the theft charges against you will be essential and will make establishing your defense even more critical.


Why Would A Theft Charge Affect My License?

Certain types of occupations require professional licenses. If you are working as a doctor, contractor, engineer, stylist, or in other industries, you may be ordered to retain a professional license to practice. Like higher education, these licenses can take years to earn. This license could be threatened if theft charges are brought against you.

You might also be required to report your theft charges if you are placed on probation, found guilty of theft, plead “no contest” or guilty of the charges against you, or enter a pretrial diversion program.

Felony convictions must almost always be reported to the appropriate licensing board. This could result in the suspension or revocation of your professional license. If your professional license is suspended or revoked, your ability to earn a living could be on the line. Furthermore, your application may be denied if a theft conviction is on your record if you attempt to renew your license.


What Kind of Penalties Are There for Theft Charges?

The criminal consequences of a theft conviction could be harsh. In many cases, the penalties will be based upon the value of the property in question.

Stolen property or service valued between $200 and $2,000 may be considered a first-degree misdemeanor. This is punishable by a fine as high as $10,000 and a maximum of five years in state prison.

Alternatively, if the property or service value exceeds $2,000, you could face third-degree felony charges. This is punishable by a fine as high as $15,000 and a maximum of seven years in state prison.

These are some of the criminal penalties you could face. The collateral consequences of a theft conviction could change your life forever. Some examples of collateral fallout associated with a guilty verdict include:

  • Damage to your personal and professional reputations
  • Trouble retaining child custody and visitation rights
  • Immigration and citizenship issues, including potential deportation
  • Trouble finding or maintaining gainful employment
  • Difficulty obtaining safe or affordable housing
  • Loss of firearm rights
  • Loss of federal student aid eligibility

Not only could it be challenging to maintain relationships with your family, friends, and colleagues after a theft conviction, but you might also find your career ruined if your professional license is suspended or revoked.

For this reason, you must take steps to protect your future by contacting a professional license defense attorney for help clearing your name of the charges against you.


How a Professional License Defense Lawyer Can Help

When facing theft charges in Pennsylvania, having an aggressive professional license defense lawyer advocating for you is of utmost importance. Your attorney will work with you to:

  • Keep you informed of case status updates
  • Communicate with the judicial system
  • Help you retain your professional license
  • Assist you in getting your professional license renewed or reinstated
  • Hire a private criminal defense attorney to fight for your liberties
  • Obtain a plea agreement or help you enter a pretrial diversion program if you qualify
  • Build a compelling defense strategy
  • Challenge unlawfully obtained evidence being introduced at trial

Before you negotiate with your professional licensing board to fight for your career opportunities, make sure you have an experienced legal defender on your side.

With Skinner Law Firm helping you challenge the accusations against you, you may be able to obtain the acquittal or other favorable outcome you need to put this experience behind you.


Call on a Chester County Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

Our  criminal defense team at Skinner Law Firm understands how devastating a theft conviction could be for your professional license. Take steps to protect your future. Your reputation and career are in jeopardy.

Contact our office for a confidential and free review of the charges against you. You can reach us by phone at (610) 436-1410 or our secure contact form to start your defense strategy as soon as today.

Article Author

Michael J. Skinner, the founder of Skinner Law Firm LLC, is a former prosecutor with the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.

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