Legal Question in Traffic Law in Pennsylvania

theft of services

can theft of services be applied to the use of a parking permit printed out from online? i attend a university, and a parking permit was pictured on the same page as a map of campus, which i printed out and hung in the windshield of a vehicle parked in a lot outside my residence hall. the police found the vehicle and claimed that it was considered theft of services, instead of a regular parking violation, because i was using the permit from online. the lot where i was parked in regularly has vehicles parked in it without permits, and i didn't think it would be a problem to park there for an hour or two, at which point i would have moved it. the other cars parked in the lot were not ticketed, but now i am facing theft of services charges against me because of this permit being in the windshield. my question is, can the theft of services charge stick? if so, how much is the fine for theft of services, and is there anything i can do to lessen it?


Asked on 2/11/07, 3:37 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Roger Traversa Arjont Group (Law Office of Roger Traversa)

Re: theft of services

You asked about theft of services where you printed a fraudulent parking permit.

It would seem that you answered your own question. You fraudulently displayed a bogus parking permit in an attempt to use services that have an associated charge. Seems that you fit the classic definition of theft of services. What you did was not an infraction of an ordinance. Infractions are punishable only by fines. What you are charged with is a misdemeanor crime.

Yes the theft of services charge can stick and you should get an attorney to help you with this matter. You don't want to have to go through life with such a stupid criminal conviction on your record.

By the way, I do hope you have learned your lesson. How much would the parking permit have cost? How much would a parking ticket have cost? Now compare that to the fact that an attorney will cost as much as $1,500. Or that failure to hire an attorney may cost you for the rest of your life (lower credit score, you may not be able to get certain jobs with a conviction on your record, et cetera). College can be such a learning experience.

Regards,

Roger

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Answered on 2/12/07, 11:06 am


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