Clarkston Theft Lawyer

Theft is illegal in the State of Michigan. Individuals could receive hefty fines and jail time if convicted. Defendants should not try and handle the legal aspects of their case alone. Instead, let a diligent defense attorney help.

If you have been charged with a larceny offense, a Clarkston theft lawyer can help you fight against the charges. An experienced criminal defense lawyer could examine the circumstances that led to your charges and evaluate the evidence against you. Many defenses may be available to you in theft cases, but you may be unaware of your options unless you consult legal counsel for guidance.

Theft or larceny under Michigan law occurs when individuals steal or take property that belongs to others. Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 750.356, the property can include money, goods, and banknotes, among other things. Most thefts fall under the general larceny statute, but Michigan law also provides for some specific larceny offenses.

Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.356a addresses larceny that involves motor vehicles, house trailers, or semi-trailers, or any parts attached to or contained within them, such as electronic devices. This includes wheels and catalytic converters on the outside of vehicles, as well as radios and airbags from the inside of cars.

Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.356c establishes a separate offense of retail fraud in the first degree. This crime occurs when individuals steal items belonging to a store costing more than $1,000 for the item.

Individuals who steal any item of property directly from the person of another commit a separate criminal offense under Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.357. Since this type of theft directly involves another person as opposed to just property, it carries the potential for far more severe consequences.

Another particular form of larceny includes the theft of livestock, firearms, items from vacant residences, and conversion. Since a larceny conviction can have severe repercussions, individuals facing these criminal charges should consult with a knowledgeable theft lawyer in Clarkston for advice and counsel.

Generally, larceny penalties depend upon the value of the property involved. The lowest level of larceny concerns property worth less than $200. Individuals could face a jail sentence of up to 93 days and a fine of $500 or three times the value of the property involved, whichever is greater. Even at this level of offense, however, there is a risk of jail time, so contacting a theft attorney in Clarkston for assistance may be highly beneficial.

If the property is worth between $200 and $1,000, the offense becomes second-degree theft. However, the potential penalties increase to a maximum one year in jail and a fine of $2,000, or three times the value of the property. These penalties also apply if there has been a prior larceny conviction.

Once the value of the property is more than $1,000, the offense becomes a felony, which carries the potential for significantly longer terms of incarceration and higher fines. Felony convictions also result in collateral consequences that can be damaging to the future employment prospects of many individuals.

A Clarkston theft lawyer could defend you against theft or retail fraud charges and also determine whether law enforcement officials violated your rights in any way. Ensuring that others respect your rights throughout your criminal proceedings is an essential aspect of any quality legal representation in a criminal case. Get the advice that you need when you are navigating the criminal justice system. Call today to get started on your case.