Macomb County, Michigan Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Attorney

Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Lawyer for Macomb County, Michigan

In Macomb County, all misdemeanor cases related to shoplifting or retail fraud are processed at various District Courts, while felony cases are escalated to the 16th Circuit Court. In Michigan, the legal term for shoplifting is retail fraud. Accusations of retail fraud can significantly tarnish your personal and professional reputation. Fortunately, our attorney at The Law Office of Julian J. Poota boasts 18 years of experience in handling such cases and stands ready to offer assistance. As a fully licensed Michigan law firm, we extend our representation to clients throughout Macomb County, ensuring their rights are protected when facing allegations of shoplifting or retail fraud.

Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Cases in Macomb County

Shoplifting and retail fraud charges stem from behaviors like removing items from a store without payment or manipulating price tags to decrease the merchandise’s cost. These charges carry significant consequences, potentially impacting future job opportunities and financial stability, and may result in imprisonment or fines. It’s crucial to have a skilled attorney to navigate these serious allegations. The Law Office of Julian J. Poota is dedicated to providing diligent representation in your shoplifting case, striving to achieve the best possible outcome.

Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Degrees and Penalties in Macomb County, MI

A first-degree shoplifting charge occurs when a person does any of the following:

• While the store is open to the public, alters, transfers, removes and replaces, conceals, or in any other way misrepresents the price of an item with the intent to not pay for the item or to pay less than the actual price, when the resulting difference is over $1,000.
• While the store is open to the public, steals an item from the store priced at $1,000 or more.
• With intent to defraud, obtain or attempts to obtain money or store property as a refund or exchange for property that was not paid for and belongs to that store, if the amount of money or price of property to be obtained is $1,000 or more.

First Degree Retail Fraud (felony): Jail time of up to 5 years and a potential fine of either $10,000 or three times the value of the stolen property, whichever is greater.

A second degree Michigan shoplifting charge occurs when the accused has done any of the following:

• While the store is open to the public, alters, transfers, removes and replaces, conceals, or in any other way misrepresents the price of an item with the intent to not pay for the item or to pay less than the actual price, when the resulting difference is between $200 and $1,000
• While the store is open to the public, steals an item from the store priced between $200 and $1,000.
• With intent to defraud, obtains or attempts to obtain money or store property as a refund or exchange for property that was not paid for and belongs to that store, if the amount of money or price of property to be obtained is between $200 and $1,000.

Second Degree Retail Fraud (misdemeanor): Jail time of up to 1 year and a potential fine of either $2,000 or three times the value of the stolen property, whichever is greater.

Retail fraud in the third degree occurs when a person does any of the following:

• While the store is open to the public, alters, transfers, removes and replaces, conceals, or in any other way misrepresents the price of an item with the intent to not pay for the item or to pay less than the actual price, when the resulting difference is less than $200.
• While the store is open to the public, steals an item from the store priced at under $200.
• With intent to defraud, obtains or attempts to obtain money or store property as a refund or exchange for property that was not paid for and belongs to that store, if the amount of money or price of property to be obtained is under $200.

Third Degree Retail Fraud (misdemeanor): Jail time of up to 93 days and a potential fine of either $500 or three times the value of the stolen property, whichever is greater.

Contact us for Macomb County, Michigan Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Charges

If you or someone you know needs a shoplifting or retail fraud lawyer in Macomb County, Michigan, our experienced attorney at The Law Office of Julian J. Poota, PLLC can help you. We offer clients a free initial consultation. To discuss your current legal situation, call us at (888) 399-7979 or contact us online.

Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Lawyer for the 16th Circuit Court

The 16th Circuit Court is located at 40 N Main St, Mt Clemens, MI 48043

Honorable James M. Biernat, Jr.

Honorable Matthew S. Switalski

Honorable Richard L. Caretti

Honorable Tracey A. Yokich

Honorable Edward A. Servitto

Honorable Diane M. Druzinski

Honorable Kathryn A. Viviano

Honorable Jennifer M. Faunce

Honorable Jams M. Maceroni

Honorable Joseph Toia

Honorable Michael Servitto

Honorable Rachel Rancilio

Honorable Julie Gatti

Honorable Teri Lynn Dennings

Honorable Matthew P. Sabaugh