Shoplifting Lawyer Clinton Township

Searching for Criminal Defense Lawyer that Specializes in the Defense of Shoplifting Charges in Clinton Township?

Being accused and prosecuted for shoplifting (retail fraud) in Clinton Township does not make you a bad person.  In fact, shoplifting is commonly prosecuted in Clinton Township and elsewhere in Michigan, but it is often just an isolated incident due to a momentary lapse in good judgment.  However, just because shoplifting is regularly prosecuted does not mean it is not serious or that it will not affect your life down the road, because any theft related conviction can have many potential damaging consequences, including: the loss of freedom; probation with conditions; loss of employment opportunities; employment licensing issues; loss of educational opportunities; steep fines; immigration complications (for persons that are not US citizens); embarrassment, etc.  If you’ve been charged with shoplifting near Clinton Township, you need a criminal defense attorney who will fight to protect your interests and your way of life.

Shoplifting can occur under several different scenarios/legal theories: when store merchandise is stolen; an attempt to steal store merchandise is made; the price tag of the merchandise is misrepresented or changed; or the merchandise is fraudulently exchanged for money or other store merchandise.  There are several shoplifting related offenses that are prosecuted in Clinton Township Michigan, including:

First Degree Retail Fraud throughout Michigan is a 5 year maximum felony (however, the maximum possible penalty can increase if habitual offender sentencing is applicable due to a prior felony conviction.  There is no period of confinement that the Court must order) that is prosecuted when the merchandise involved is $1,000 (one thousand dollars) or more, or if the merchandise involved is $200 (two hundred dollars) or more and the person has a prior theft conviction.  

Organized Retail Theft throughout Michigan is a 5 year maximum felony (however, the maximum possible penalty can even increase if habitual offender sentencing is applicable due to a prior felony conviction), that is also subject to applicable habitual offender sentencing provisions (There is no period of confinement that the Court must order) .  The offense is charged by Macomb County prosecutors when the alleged intent of the Defendant is to commit a retail fraud and to resell the stolen merchandise to another person or business.

Second Degree Retail Fraud throughout Michigan is a 1 year maximum misdemeanor charge that is prosecuted when the merchandise involved is at least $200 (two hundred dollars) but less than $1000 (one thousand dollars), or if the merchandise involved is under $200 (two hundred dollars) and the person has a prior theft conviction (There is no period of confinement that the Court must order). 

Third Degree Retail Fraud throughout Michigan is a 93 day maximum misdemeanor charge that is prosecuted under either State law or local ordinance, when the merchandise involved in the offense is less than $200 (two hundred dollars) (There is no period of confinement that the Court must order).

Removal of a Theft Detection Device in Michigan is a 1 year maximum misdemeanor charge, that also can be prosecuted as a 93 day misdemeanor under local ordinance (There is no period of confinement that the Court must order).

Hire a Respected Criminal Defense Lawyer that Specializes in the Defense of Shoplifting Charges

Many Clinton Township retail fraud cases involve Partridge Creek Mall or national chains stores such as Walmart, TJ Maxx, and Kohls.  All large stores have established store procedures with the goal of reducing shoplifting losses, avoiding litigation, reducing insurance costs, and deterring in store theft.  It is not uncommon for a store to hire zealous lost prevention personnel and use theft detection devices (such as sensor devices, cameras, and closed circuit television) to combat the costs and liabilities associated with retail theft.  Even with technology and employee training, mistakes are still made and persons are still sometimes falsely arrested.  

Your legal representative will obtain all the evidence against you to fully and properly defend the case, which can include the following: police report(s), loss prevention report(s), witness statement(s), in store video(s), police video(s), photograph(s), statement(s) the police and/or loss prevention claims that you made, etc.  When you go before your assigned Judge your lawyer can request a trial date, or seek a resolution of the case on your behalf, which may involve a plea bargain (an agreement with the prosecution to dismiss, expunge, or reduce the charge(s) against you) or a sentence agreement (an agreement with the Judge to impose a specific sentence, such as avoiding or limiting any confinement).  Your best plan of attack when it comes to your shoplifting case is to hire an experienced top rated attorney to help you obtain the best possible result for your circumstances, because a retail fraud conviction can have a lifetime of life changing consequences, including making it hard to find a job, because many employers do not want to risk hiring someone with any type of theft history.  Make the best possible decision for your Clinton Township case and hire top rated and respected criminal defense attorney Daniel Hilf, who is an impassioned, intelligent lawyer with over 20 years of experience inside and outside of courtrooms helping clients obtain great results for shoplifting accusations. 

If you have been arrested or ticketed for shoplifting in or near Clinton Township, it's time to make the smart decision and contact us right away for outstanding legal representation.