Pontiac Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Lawyer

Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Lawyer for Pontiac

In Pontiac, all misdemeanor shoplifting or retail fraud cases are addressed at the 50th District Court, while felony cases are escalated to the 6th Circuit Court. In Michigan, shoplifting is legally referred to as retail fraud. Facing a retail fraud charge can have detrimental effects on both your personal and professional reputation. Fortunately, our top-rated attorney at The Law Office of Julien J. Poota brings 18 years of experience in handling 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 Pontiac who are accused of retail fraud.

Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Cases in Pontiac, Michigan

Shoplifting and retail fraud charges arise from theft, which may involve actions such as altering price tags to pay less for an item. These cases are substantial and require the expertise of a top rated shoplifting and retail fraud attorney. Shoplifting charges can adversely impact future job opportunities and financial prospects, potentially resulting in imprisonment 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 Pontiac

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 Pontiac Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Charges

If you or someone you know needs the best shoplifting or retail fraud lawyer in Pontiac, 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 50th District Court

The 50th District Court is located at 70 N Saginaw St, Pontiac, MI 48342

The 50th District Court judges are:

Honorable Cynthia Thomas Walker

Honorable Ronda M. Fowlkes

Honorable Jeremy Darnell Bowie

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

If you are trying to reach a shoplifting/retail fraud attorney near Pontiac, Michigan, we can be reached 24/7 at 888-399-7979 for a free consultation.