Retail Fraud Charges Defense Attorneys in Michigan

Retail fraud, commonly referred to as shoplifting, is a serious crime in Michigan. If charged, you’ll need a retail fraud attorney.

Shoplifting is the stealing of property from a store during regular business hours.

There are three degrees of retail fraud and the punishments vary depending on whether you’re convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony.

Charged with retail fraud? Unhappy with your current attorney? Request a free consultation now.

First degree retail fraud is a five-year felony and carries a fine of up to $10,000 or three times the value of the stolen property.

There’s also a maximum five-year probation term.

A person can be charged with first-degree retail fraud if, while the store is open to the public:

• the person changes, transfers, or otherwise misrepresents the price at which property is offered for sale with the intent to pay less if the resulting difference is $1,000 or more,
• stealing property that is offered for sale at a price of $1,000 or more, or
• obtains or attempts to obtain a fraudulent refund or exchange of property that is $1,000.

A person can also be charged with first-degree retail fraud if they steal property that’s valued between $200 and $1,000 and they have a prior retail fraud or attempted retail fraud conviction on their record.

Second-degree retail fraud is a misdemeanor that has a possible one-year jail term plus fines and costs.

There’s also a maximum two-year probation term.

A person can be charged with second-degree retail fraud if the theft of property is between $200 and $1,000, or if the theft is under $200 but the person has a prior theft-related conviction on their record.

Third-degree retail fraud is a misdemeanor that carries a possible 93-day jail term plus fines and costs. There’s also a maximum two-year probation term.

A person can be charged with third-degree retail fraud if the theft of property is valued below $200. This often occurs with the stealing of small items from stores such as Meijer, Target, Kmart, or CVS.

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There are several actions that can be considered retail fraud:

• Concealing or taking property from a store offered for sale without paying for it
• Assisting another in taking property offered for sale with the intent not to pay for it
• Engaging in acts to take property for less money than was offered for sale. Includes activities like switching price tags.
• Using employees to assist in taking property offered for sale with the intent to keep it without paying full price
• Fraudulently using gift cards, fictitious refunds, or store credit

Other types of theft crimes include:

• UDAA
• Embezzlement
• Larceny in a building
• Larceny in value over $1,000
• Larceny in value under $1,000
• Larceny in value over $20,000

Reasons why people engage in shoplifting:

• Lack of impulse control – some people cannot resist the impulse or urge to take something from a store. They may have gotten away with it before and feel that the store can afford the loss or will never miss it. The items taken are usually not a necessity for life like food or necessary clothing. The fact that something can be taken from a store provides a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of “getting away with something.”
• Peer pressure – young people often engage in theft and fraudulent activities and succumb to the very real pressure that others can place on their peers and acquaintances. These actions are often intended to be one-time occurrences and otherwise isolated incidents.
• Financial distress – others may take property due to an overwhelming financial need to provide health, wellness, shelter, or clothing that they cannot otherwise afford. This is common with students, the homeless, and those that are used to a certain lifestyle that they can no longer afford. Recent life changes involving financial circumstances can have an effect.
• Marital difficulties and divorce – family dissolution can result in personality changes that would cause people to engage in behavior that they normally would not. Fully understanding family circumstances are important to ensure that the behavior can be explained and sometimes, justified.
• Mental health disorders –Some people suffer from mental health disorders, such as kleptomania, which can cause delinquent behavior like theft. Some are not even aware of the existence of the disorder or have failed to seek recommended counseling services.
• Substance abuse disorders – drug and alcohol abuse sometimes is the cause of the theft and fraudulent behavior. It’s very important that this is discovered and addressed appropriately and effectively.

The cause and reason for the criminal behavior must be ascertained, diagnosed, and rectified with the help of a retail fraud attorney as best as possible in order to successfully address the matter with the court.

By providing a recommendation for the proper course of action and treatment, we help ensure the behavior isn’t repeated.

Our retail fraud attorney will help minimize any punishment that may be imposed.

We understand that it’s of the utmost importance to keep any retail fraud or theft offense off your criminal record.

A theft-related conviction leaves a reputation of dishonesty that can discourage employers and educational institutions from associating with you.

A retail fraud or theft conviction can change the course of your life. It’s important not to let a one-time mistake invalidate years of hard work and preclude legitimate aspirations in the future.

There are several legal strategies a good retail fraud attorney can use to keep a retail fraud conviction off your record.

Youthful offender status – those under the age of 24 can and should be provided an opportunity to have the case immediately made non-public and eventually dismissed after satisfactory completion of a short probationary period.

The applicable age was increased to age 24 in Michigan, effective August 15, 2015.

For those accused between the ages of 21 and 24, if the case occurred before that date, we can and must delay the prosecution until after that date to ensure all who qualify will take advantage of the law change.

First offender programs – many jurisdictions and prosecutorial offices will allow a first offender, no matter the age, to engage in programming to keep the offense off their record.

Don’t assume that this offer will automatically be made, because it will not.

A retail fraud attorney from The Law Offices of Barton Morris will not only ensure all available programs but ensure the client is prepared to be eligible to receive said programs.

Many require the client to receive certain treatment or previously be engaged with a particular therapy requirement.

Every court and jurisdiction is different in this regard.

Our skilled attorneys know exactly what needs to be done to ensure successful acceptance and completion of every known first offender program. Oftentimes, those that may not qualify can still be accepted into a first offender program.

Your shoplifting attorney will make sure that every effort is taken to make all qualifying programs available to our clients even if at first glance it may seem unavailable. The opportunity to keep someone’s record clean must sometimes be fought hard for.

Oftentimes, a favorable result must be achieved no matter the cost and “no” is not an acceptable answer.

The attorneys at The Law Offices of Barton Morris will fight relentlessly for every client.

Charged with retail fraud? Unhappy with your current attorney? Request a free consultation now.

How to Fight a Retail Fraud Case in Court

Many times, trial and pre-trial litigation is necessary. We don’t simply accept the first offer the prosecutor makes as it’s usually not the best one. Sometimes a litigation battle is necessary.

Common trial or pre-trial defenses include:

• Exposing the loss prevention officers (LPO) as not being properly trained
• Unfair or prejudicial targeting by LPOs
• Unlawful arrest or detainment by LPOs
• Lack of intent to permanently deprive or lawful mistake
• Proper investigation including dissecting LPO reports and obtaining and reviewing video evidence.

​​​​​​Reasons to hire retail fraud attorney:

• It’s important to hire an attorney who knows the jurisdiction, prosecutor, preferences, position, tolerances, and when the city attorney will entertain exceptional circumstances, which can lead to out-of-the-ordinary and favorable results.
• It’s important to know the judge and their past treatment of similarly situated defendants.
• It’s important to be able to adequately explain and advocate all of the client’s relevant circumstances that can have an effect on the outcome. A shoplifting attorney will spend as much time as possible to know every relevant and important detail about the client, including his/her education, family, financial circumstance, physical and mental health, professional and personal goals, and aspirations.
• It’s important to hire a dedicated attorney who knows special and alternative options which are available and helpful to your case. It’s important that each client is characterized individually. Defendants should not be all be treated the same.
• Whether an accused is a first-time or repeat offender, this case can be the most significant event in their life. It’s critically important that you obtain the best result possible as it could and will have an effect on the rest of your life. Don’t trust a court-appointed attorney to provide any specialized or individualized assistance. A court-appointed attorney will only do what the prosecution wants. They simply don’t take the time to fully investigate the whole case. They’ll not look at videos or LPO reports. They will spend as little time as necessary to finish your case as they have several more to finish. Those with a court-appointed attorney will have no one to call for advice, counseling, questions, or assistance. A retail fraud or theft case and its outcome are entirely too important to trust a public defender. As well-intentioned as they may be, they simply don’t have the time or qualifications to do whatever is necessary to obtain the best result. You may spend three minutes with a lawyer who literally holds your life and future in their hands.

Charged with retail fraud? Unhappy with your current attorney? Request a free consultation now.

Why Are We Retail Fraud and Theft Lawyer Specialists?

Most criminal defense attorneys don’t focus on retail fraud and theft offenses. Our attorneys do.

We realize the special needs that are specific to these types of offenses and understand that by knowing the specific issues unique to these types of cases we can and do obtain amazing results for many of our clients.

These issues include:

• The psychology and motivations of Loss Prevention Officers
• Typical video surveillance equipment used by major retailers and smaller stores
• The psychology and human assessment of theft and fraud behaviors along with identification of cues, symptoms, and effects.
• The psychology of prosecutors and judges on theft cases, including an understanding and previous experience in area courts with high volumes of retail fraud
• Alternative sentencing options, and therapeutic options available

We have existing relationships with area treatment and therapist providers to ensure our clients have a full range of options to cater to any geographical and financial circumstances.

Judges and prosecutors know that when the attorneys from The Law Offices of Barton Morris are representing a client, that client will be properly diagnosed, their relevant circumstances evaluated, and an appropriate plan for resolution will be presented without the need for incarceration, overly burdensome penalties, or unnecessary services, treatments, or probationary terms.

Our Michigan shoplifting attorneys travel all over the state to defend these charges.

Charged with retail fraud? Unhappy with your current attorney? Request a free consultation now.

Legal Fees and Costs for Retail Fraud Defense

The cost for a specialist retail fraud attorney can be as little as $1,500.00. Qualified individuals can be placed on a reasonable payment plan. There’s no reason not to request a free consultation to discuss the details of your case, your options, expectations, and fees.