Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

can a 21 year old clear his record of a retail theft charge

My 21 year old son was stupid enough to steal gas a few months ago while in PA. He was charged with a felony, finger printed and fined $800. This is the only thing on his record, other than this he has been a great kid.

I recently spent $5000 for him to get his CDL license, but we are now finding that no one will hire him with a felony charge. He is having a difficult time finding any type of decent employment because of this charge.

Due to a severe head trauma that he had a few years ago, he is limited to the type of work he can do. It must be hands on without a lot of memorization and critical thinking.

Is there any way for him to clear his record, so that he can find decent employment and get on with his life? Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance?

Thanks for the needed advise.


Asked on 11/09/05, 7:51 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles A. Pascal, Jr. Law Office of Charles A. Pascal, Jr.

Re: can a 21 year old clear his record of a retail theft charge

He was charged with a felony? For stealing gas?

Retail theft,first offense under $150 is a summary, second offense a misdemeanor, third offense is a felony.

Seems to me that something is amiss here.

He probably didn't have an attorney for that charge either, in order to make sure that the charge was correct, or, if it was, that there was an appropriate plea bargain to reduce the grade of the charge to a misdemeanor???

He probably would have gotten a second chance if you had hired an attorney for that charge to begin with.

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Answered on 11/10/05, 1:57 pm


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