Retail Fraud Lawyer – Shoplifting
Retail fraud is a serious criminal offense that carries the possibility of jail and hefty fines.
A retail fraud conviction is a crime of moral turpitude, which means it can have a negative impact on your ability to get a job and retail fraud could even result in deportation for someone that is not a citizen.
If you have been charged with retail fraud contact criminal lawyer, Aaron J. Boria at (734) 453-7806.
Even if you believe you are guilty, almost all of the retail fraud matters Boria handles result in a dismissal or reduced charge. Many of Boria’s past results have saved his client’s major fines, stiff penalties, and premaritally being labeled as a criminal.
Retail Fraud – Shoplifting
Retail fraud, or shoplifting as it is more commonly known, is charged when a person is accused of stealing an item from a store that is open for business.
Retail fraud is also charged when someone tries to return an item to the store that they never purchased in order to get a store credit or cash.
Retail fraud can also be charged when someone switches a UPC code or price tag in order to purchase an item for less.
Retail Fraud – Shoplifting Penalties in Michigan
Retail fraud is taken very seriously by police and prosecutors. The smallest thefts are prosecuted in Michigan. On one occasion we represented someone facing a 93 day misdemeanor for stealing a Godiva candy bar from Kohl’s.
Retail fraud is broken down into three degrees. The first degree is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, and $10,000 in fines or three times the value of the item stolen.
First-degree retail fraud is charged when a person is accused of stealing an item listed for sale at $1,000.00 or more.
The second degree is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, and $2,000 in fines or three times the value of the item stolen.
Second-degree retail fraud is charged when a person is accused of stealing an item listed for sale at $100 to $999.99.
The third degree is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, and $500 in fines or three times the value of the item stolen.
Third degree retail fraud is charged when a person is accused of stealing an item listed at $99 or less.
Retail Fraud – Shoplifting Defenses
Common defenses to shoplifting include the following:
Claim of right – The item you are accused of stealing is yours
Mistake – There are many variations of mistake but one example would be someone accusing you of shoplifting when you were not. Perhaps you weren’t leaving the store but security thought you were exhibiting shady behavior and accused you of stealing.
Accident – Maybe the item fell in your cart by mistake or you were just overwhelmed with your normal day and accidently left with your item.
Retail Fraud Shoplifting Lawyer
There may be other defenses for your case depending on what happened. If you have been charged with retail fraud then you need to call criminal defense lawyer, Aaron J. Boria at (734) 453-7806.
Aaron J. Boria has obtained many retail fraud dismissals and saved his clients of being convicted of this crime.
Even in cases where our clients are caught red handed we have been able to change the offense to a crime that is not theft related, thereby avoiding the stigma of a theft offense. Changing a retail fraud case to a charge that is not a theft offense is very important for our non-citizen clients to save them from deportation proceedings.
