RETAIL FRAUD DEFENSE ATTORNEYS
If you are charged with retail fraud, call for a free consultation with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. – Retail Fraud Defense Lawyers
We can help you...here is how.
Retail fraud is one of the most common criminal offenses charged in the State of Michigan. Retail fraud is more commonly referred to as shoplifting.
What is retail fraud?
To prove a charge of retail fraud, the prosecution must prove several elements beyond a reasonable doubt. Aside from the value of the property, the elements of retail fraud are identical between first, second and third degree retail fraud.
First, the prosecutor must prove that the defendant took control of some property that the store offered for sale. Second, the prosecutor must chow that the defendant moved the property. Many people think that the defendant must have removed the property from the store but the law in Michigan is that, “any movement is enough.” The law further indicates that, “it does not matter whether the defendant actually got the property past the cashier or out of the store.”
If the prosecutor can prove that the defendant took the property and that he or she moved the property, the prosecution must then prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intended to steal the property. Intent to steal means the defendant intended to permanently take the property from the store without the store’s consent.
The incident must either take place inside the store or in the immediate area around the store and it must have happened while the store was open to the public.
The last element the prosecution must prove is the collective value of the property in question. If the value was $1,000 or more, the charge is First Degree Retail Fraud, a felony, and the defendant can receive a sentence in prison. If the value was $200 or more, but less than $1,000, the offense is Second Degree Retail Fraud, a misdemeanor which is punishable by a maximum sentence of 1 year in jail. Finally, if the value is less than $200, the offense is Retail Fraud Third Degree, and the maximum possible sentence is up to 93 days in jail.
What would otherwise be a retail fraud second or third degree can be enhanced to a retail fraud first degree if the defendant has prior retail fraud convictions.
Experienced, Effective Retail Fraud Defense Attorneys
The Retail Fraud Defense Lawyers with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. have handled several hundred retail fraud cases throughout Michigan. We understand that a conviction for retail fraud can be life changing in a tragic way and everything humanly possible must be done to get a charge dismissed or reduced when possible.
Lewis and Dickstien, PLLC, has represented a multitude of clients who were not citizens of the United States and are facing deportation or other immigration consequences because retail fraud is considered under immigration law to be a crime involving "moral turpitude" which can result in deportation.
Will you have to do jail or prison time?
One of the most common questions that are asked during consultation with potential clients in retail fraud cases is whether the client will have to serve jail time. The answer to that question is complex and dependent upon a multiplicity of factors but the retail fraud criminal defense lawyers with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. can almost always help their clients avoid any jail or prison time in retail fraud cases.
Call us and we will find a way to help you.
If you or a loved one is charged with or being accused of committing a retail fraud, call (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation with a highly experienced retail fraud defense attorney. Feel free to fill out a Request for Assistance Form and we will promptly contact you.
We are not afraid to win!
Court’s in Southeastern Michigan where defendants are regularly charged with retail fraud include, but are not limited to:
In Oakland County
Oakland County Circuit Court (6th Judicial Circuit Court) Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
52-1 District Court in Novi Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
52-2 District Court in Clarkston Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
52-3 District Court in Rochester Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
52-4 District Court in Troy Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
35th District Court in Plymouth Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
43rd District Court in Hazel Park Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
43rd District Court in Madison Heights Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
43rd District Court in Ferndale Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
44th District Court in Royal Oak Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
45-A District Court in Berkley Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
45-B District Court in Oak Park Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
46th District Court in Southfield Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
47th District Court in Farmington Hills Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
50th District Court in Pontiac Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
51st District Court in Waterford Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
Macomb
37th District Court - Warren
38th District Court - Eastpointe
39th District Court - Roseville
40th District Court - St. Clair Shores
41A District Court - Sterling Heights
41A District Court - Shelby Township
42nd District Court - Romeo
42nd District Court - New Baltimore
41B District Court - Mt. Clemens
Wayne County:
Wayne County Circuit Court Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
16th District Court - Livonia Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
17th District Court - Redford Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
18th District Court - Westland Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
19th District Court - Dearborn Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
20th District Court - Dearborn Heights Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
21st District Court - Garden City Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
22nd District Court - Inkster Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
23rd District Court - Taylor Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
24th District Court - Allen Park and Melvindale Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
25th District Court - Lincoln Park Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
26-1 District Court - River Rouge Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
26-2 District Court - Escorse Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
27 District Court - Wyandotte Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
27 District Court - Riverview Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
28 District Court - Southgate Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
29 District Court - Wayne Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
30 District Court - Highland Park Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
31 District Court - Hamtramck Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
32A District Court - Harper Woods Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
33rd District Court - Trenton, Rockwood, Flat Rock, Woodhaven, Brownstown, Grosse Ile.
34th District Court - Romulus, Belleville Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
35th District Court - Northville, Plymouth, Canton Township Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
36th District Court – Detroit Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
In Livingston County:
53rd District Court - Brighton Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
53rd District Court - Howell Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
In Washtenaw County:
15th District Court - Ann Arbor Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
14A District Court - Ypsilanti Township Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
14B District Court - Balance of Washtenaw County Retail Fraud Defense Attorney
