Shoplifting Lawyer Michigan
Accused of shoplifting in Michigan? The law office of Michigan criminal defense attorney is ready to defend you even if you believe you are guilty. The majority of our client’s who have been accused of shoplifting end up with a reduced charge or a dismissal even in cases where their guilt is obvious. Call (734) 453-7806 today for a free consultation.
Shoplifting Charges in Michigan
If you have been accused of shoplifting in Michigan your ticket probably reads “larceny” or “retail fraud”. In lay terms, they both prosecute you for taking something that did not belong to you.
Larceny is usually charged when you are accused of stealing something from another person; however, many municipalities charge larceny when you are accused of taking an item from a store.
Retail fraud is charged when someone is accused of trying to remove an item from a store without paying for it. Retail fraud is also charged when someone is accused of price switching and for trying to return an item to the store that they have not yet paid for in order to get money back or a store credit.
The potential penalty for shoplifting regardless of it being called retail fraud or larceny is based on the value of the item sold.
If the value of the item taken is under $1000 then the person will be charged with a misdemeanor. If the value exceeds $1000 then the person would be charged with a felony.
The difference between a misdemeanor and a felony is that a misdemeanor is punishable by a year or less in the county jail and a felony is punishable by a year or more in prison.
Shoplifting Lawyer Michigan
There are defenses to these charges. Sometimes your defense is as simple as the store got it wrong and you were not stealing anything.
Other defenses can include that you had a right to do what you did because the item was yours.
Another common defense is that you took the item by mistake or accident. In our busy lives this does happen.
Someone could be lying.
Even in cases where you are guilty of shoplifting and you don’t have a defense the odds are that shoplifting lawyer, Aaron J. Boria can obtain a dismissal, reduction, or at the very least, put you in a better position then you are in.
Call (734) 453-7806 for a free consultation with shoplifting lawyer, Aaron J. Boria.
