Sterling Heights, Michigan Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Lawyer

Shoplifting/Retail Fraud Lawyer for Sterling Heights, Michigan

In Sterling Heights, Michigan, all misdemeanor cases involving shoplifting or retail fraud are processed at the 41A District Court, while felony cases are escalated to the 16th Circuit Court. Under Michigan’s legal framework, shoplifting is termed as 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 brings 18 years of experience in handling such cases and is prepared to offer assistance. As a fully licensed Michigan law firm, we extend our representation to clients throughout Sterling Heights, ensuring their rights are protected when facing allegations of shoplifting or retail fraud.

Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Cases in Sterling Heights

Allegations of shoplifting and retail fraud stem from activities such as taking items from a store without paying or tampering with price tags to lower merchandise costs. These charges carry significant consequences, potentially impacting future job opportunities and financial stability, and may result in imprisonment or fines. Having a skilled attorney to navigate you through these allegations is crucial. The Law Office of Julian J. Poota is dedicated to providing diligent representation in your shoplifting case, striving tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome.

Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Degrees and Penalties in Sterling Heights, 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 Sterling Heights, Michigan Shoplifting and Retail Fraud Charges

If you or someone you know needs a shoplifting or retail fraud lawyer in Sterling Heights, 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 41A District Court

The 41A District Court is located at 40111 Dodge Park Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48313

The 41A District Court judges are:

 Honorable Annemarie M. Lepore

Honorable Stephen S. Sierawski

Honorable Kimberley A. Wiegand