Plymouth, MI Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Lawyer

Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Lawyer for Plymouth

In Plymouth, all misdemeanor shoplifting or retail fraud cases are heard at the 35th District Court, while felony cases are elevated to the 3rd Circuit Court. In Michigan, shoplifting is legally referred to as retail fraud. Confronting a charge of retail fraud can have adverse effects on both your personal and professional reputation. Fortunately, our attorney at The Law Office of Julien J. Poota brings 18 years of experience in managing these cases and is prepared to offer assistance. As a fully licensed Michigan law firm, the Law Office of Julian J. Poota, PLLC is committed to safeguarding the rights of clients across Plymouth who face accusations of retail fraud.

Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Cases in Plymouth, Michigan

Shoplifting and retail fraud charges arise from theft, which may involve actions like altering price tags to pay less for an item. These cases are serious and require the expertise of a proficient attorney. Shoplifting charges can adversely affect future job prospects and financial opportunities, possibly resulting in incarceration or fines. The Law Office of Julian J. Poota is dedicated to fervently advocating for your shoplifting case to attain the most favorable outcome possible.

Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Degrees and Penalties in Plymouth

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 Plymouth Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Charges

If you or someone you know needs a shoplifting or retail fraud lawyer in Plymouth, 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 Attorney for the 35th District Court

The 35th District Court is located at 700 Barclay Cir, Plymouth, MI 48307

The 35th District Court judges are:

Honorable Nancy Carniak

Honorable Lisa Asadoorian

Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Lawyer for the 3rd Circuit Court

The 3rd Circuit Court is located at 1200 N. Telegraph, Pontiac, MI 48341

The 3rd 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 Plymouth shoplifting or retail fraud case.