Retail Fraud Northville Michigan Lawyer
Many people come to our office charged with retail fraud, they are otherwise law-abiding citizens who made a one time mistake.
Northville retail fraud lawyer, Aaron J. Boria is here to help. We have obtained dismissals, not guilty acquittal, and reductions for those charged with retail fraud. Call (734) 453-7806.
Many times the people that come to our office accused of steeling aren’t even sure why they decided to steel something in the first place. Other times, clients were falsely accused of a theft and it was simply a misunderstanding.
You are not the first person and you won’t be the last to be charged with retail fraud.What’s important is that you hire the right lawyer to get though the situation properly.
Retail Fraud Northville
Meijer, Kohl’s, and other stores along Haggerty and throughout Northville aggressively prosecute people they believe tried to steel from their store.
The 35th District Court is located in Plymouth just down the street from out office. If you are accused of retail fraud in Northville the 35th district court is where your case will be heard. Judge Gerou, Judge Lowe, or Judge Plakas will preside over any retail fraud matter occurring in Northville.
There are three types of retail fraud in Michigan.
First there is price switching. Retail fraud based on price switching occurs when someone switches the price tag or UPC code on an object in order to get an item for a reduced price.
Second there is false exchange. Retail fraud based on false exchange occurs when someone returns an item that belonged to the store in order to get something of value.
Third there is theft. Retail fraud based on theft is the most common type of retail fraud and is simply when someone takes an item without paying for it.
Retail Fraud Penalties
Retail fraud is broken down into three degrees. First degree is the most serious and is a felony, meaning that it is punishable by prison time. Second and third degree retail fraud are misdemeanors and is punishable by county jail time.
The degrees of retail fraud are based on the value of the item stolen.
If the value of the item taken exceeds $1,000.00 the offense will charged as felony retail fraud first degree.
If the value of the item is between $200 and $999.99 then the offense will be charged as retail fraud second, punishable by up to a year in jail.
Finally, if the item stolen is worth one cent up to $199.99 the offense will be charged as retail fraud third and is punishable by up to 93 days in jail.
Retail fraud is a crime of moral turpitude. Crimes of moral turpitude are especially bad because the label you as a thief, or more simply, someone not to be trusted. Having a crime of moral turpitude makes it hard to get a job especially if that job will involve handling money. A conviction for retail fraud is permanently entered onto your criminal record and does not come off with the passage of time.
For the reasons mentioned above it is so important that you hire an experienced criminal lawyer.
Retail Fraud Defense Lawyer
Retail fraud charges can be defended. Every case is unique, so your case may have its own defense. Retail fraud lawyer, Aaron J. Boria is here to help. We fight for our clients and we get results other lawyers cannot. Call (734) 453-7806.
Even in cases where our client is truly guilty we are often able to get their case sealed, dismissed, or reduced to an offense that won’t label them a thief for the rest of their lives.
Common defense to retail fraud include the following:
Abandonment – the person or business no longer wanted the item
Wrongfully accused – Someone lied or was mistaken as to what happened
Lack of Specific Intent – You took the item by mistake or you never meant to take it in the first place.
Claim of right – the item you are accused of taking was your own.
