Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Charged with retail theft - Shady charges?

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ShadowOfBlood

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My girlfriend and I were charged with retail theft a few months ago in Pennsylvania. We currently live in Indiana and are having a hard time paying the fines. I've been contacting the District Magristrate but I have yet to get the judge to call me back to discuss the possibility of lowering the fines. We're currently making payments; but it's tough.

To get to the point, I was looking at the receipt and I noticed a few oddities. The following charges are on the receipt:

Domestic Violence - $10.00
Victim Witness Service - $25.00
Crime Victim Compensation - $35.00
Municipal Fine 238 - $300.00
Crim Just ENH Surcharge - $2.25
Access to Justice - $3.00
Judicial Computer Project - $8.00
JCP Surcharge - $10.25
Court Cost Comm-Cost - $7.65
Court Cost Cty Ty - $28.20
Commonwealth Cost - HB627 - $7.65
Postage Cty - $3.00

Can someone please tell me what these mean? And why am I being charged with domestic violence and victim witness service? Thank you for the help :)
 
I am truly sorry for your situation but we have no way of knowing why that is there. You need to ask court to address that on your next visit
 
I can't visit the court. I live in Indiana and this happened in Pennsylvania. Doesn't domestic violence involve, well, violence? If that's the case, then that shouldn't be there. We were polite and returned the merchandise on the spot, undamaged, and with the packaging. If it helps, the value of the merchandise was $30.00.

Also, what is the victim witness service charge?

Oh, and if it helps any, we never went to court over the matter. We were told to fill out a paper and send it in, and then we'd have to pay the fine.
 
It might be where your fine funds are used (its only $10.00). Once again we have no clue call the court or a local Attorney and ask. I realize you came here for help but we cannot read minds and really cannot say. I did email a member of this site who works in Law Enforcment he might know. Soon as he reads email hopefully he will reply
 
Thank you for the help. I'm trying to see if I can get the fine lowered at all, as $10.00 is a lot of money for someone in my current position. The judge never returns my calls, so it's getting very frustrating. Do local attorneys often give free advice? There's no way I can afford one otherwise.

Thanks again :)
 
I strongly suspect that the PA legislature has attached assorted fees and assessments to the payment of most any fine for a conviction in that state. My state has some similar assessments, and I think you will find that most states do.

You can probably call the court and ask what the deal is, but I suspect they will say that these detailed assessments are mandated by law.
 
ShadowOfBlood said:
Thank you for the help. I'm trying to see if I can get the fine lowered at all, as $10.00 is a lot of money for someone in my current position. The judge never returns my calls, so it's getting very frustrating. Do local attorneys often give free advice? There's no way I can afford one otherwise.

Thanks again :)
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No Judge will return such a call. Call his clerk or the county clerk. You can also call Attorneys as many will answer limited questions over phone. However as I suspected its just how fees are dispursed as CDWJAVA explains
 
I cannot imagine the judge will do anything over the phone. Any motion or request should be done in court. An ex parte communication leading to a decision could well be unlawful.

While I am not familiar with PA law in this regard, I suspect that little wiggle room is given in the base fines and none can be given in the assessments.

The time to consider consequences is PRIOR to committing an unlawful act, not afterwards. Most judges are not likely to have a great deal of sympathy for your plight as a result.

With regards to a free consultation, I am not sure how much good an attorney in Indiana will do for your case in PA, but, maybe.
 
Maybe I should clarify. I meant call an Attorney in courts jurisdiction. I will further suggest that any fine reduction might have a community service increase to make up for fine reduction
 
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