Pleasant Ridge Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Lawyer

Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Lawyer for Pleasant Ridge

In Pleasant Ridge, all misdemeanor shoplifting or retail fraud cases are handled at the 45th District Court, while felony cases are escalated to the 6th Circuit Court. In Michigan, shoplifting is legally termed as retail fraud. Facing a retail fraud charge can negatively impact both your personal and professional reputation. Thankfully, our top rated attorney at The Law Office of Julien J. Poota brings 18 years of experience in handling these cases and is ready to provide assistance. As a fully licensed Michigan law firm, the Law Office of Julian J. Poota, PLLC is dedicated to protecting the rights of clients across Pleasant Ridge who are accused of retail fraud.

Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Cases in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan

Shoplifting and retail fraud charges stem from theft, which can include activities such as tampering with price tags to pay less for an item. These cases are significant and demand the skills of the best shoplifting and retail fraud attorney. Shoplifting charges can have detrimental effects on future employment prospects and financial opportunities, potentially leading to imprisonment or monetary penalties. The Law Office of Julian J. Poota is committed to vigorously advocating for your shoplifting case to achieve the best possible outcome.

Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Degrees and Penalties in Pleasant Ridge

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, 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 $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 Pleasant Ridge Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Charges

If you or someone you know needs a shoplifting or retail fraud lawyer in Pleasant Ridge, 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.

Top Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Attorney for the 45th District Court

The 45th District Court is located at 13600 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI 48237

The 45th District Court judges are:

Honorable Michelle Friedman Appel

Honorable Jamie Horowitz

Best Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Lawyer for the 6th Circuit Court

The 6^th Circuit Court is located at 1200 N. Telegraph, Pontiac, MI 48341

The 6^th Circuit Court judges are:

 Honorable Martha D. Anderson

Honorable Mary Ellen Brennan

Honorable David M. Cohen

Honorable Jacob James Cunningham

Honorable Nanci J. Grant

Honorable Jeffery S. Matis

Honorable Cheryl A. Matthews

Honorable Phyllis McMillen

Honorable Daniel Patrick O’Brien

Honorable Yasmine I. Poles

Honorable Kwame L. Rowe

Honorable Victoria A. Valentine

Honorable Michael Warren

We can be reached 24/7 at 888-399-7979 for a free consultation regarding your Pleasant Ridge shoplifting and retail fraud case.