In addition, you may be sentenced to pay fines reaching into the thousands of dollars. Your retail fraud conviction will become public information, which may interfere with your ability to obtain employment or to qualify for professional licenses.
Fortunately, a skilled Detroit Retail Fraud Lawyer, like Maurice Davis, can help you avoid these harsh penalties. Depending on the facts of your case, it may be possible to have your charges dismissed or to obtain an acquittal. In any case, do not plead guilty to the offense before consulting with a knowledgeable legal professional.
What Does Michigan Law Say About Retail Fraud?
Section 750.356(c) and (d) of the Michigan Penal Code define retail fraud as doing any of the following in or in the vicinity of a store that is open to the public:
- Altering, transferring, removing, replacing, concealing or otherwise misrepresenting the price of a product with the intent of not paying for it or paying less than the listed price
- Stealing property from the store
- Attempting to return property that was not paid for with the intent of fraudulently obtaining a refund
When the value of the stolen goods or the amount defrauded from the store exceeds $1,000, retail fraud is treated as a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of $10,000 or 3 times the value of the stolen property–whichever is greater.
When the value of the goods stolen or defrauded is between $200 and $1,000, retail fraud is a misdemeanor involving a possible sentence of 1 year and jail and/or fines of up to $2,000 or 3 times the value of the stolen goods–whichever is greater. A person who commits this offense twice will face the felony charges described above.
When the value of the goods involved in the offense is less than $200, retail fraud is a misdemeanor punishable by 93 days in jail and/or fines of up to $500 or 3 times the value of the stolen property–whichever is greater. A second conviction for this offense will result in the harsher misdemeanor penalties described above.
In determining your sentence in accordance with the Michigan criminal process, the court will calculate the value of the shoplifted property based on every alleged theft you committed over a one year period. This means that stealing small amounts of goods multiple times can result in severe criminal penalties. This is why it’s critical to discuss your case with a Detroit retail fraud lawyer
