Metro Detroit Theft and Property Crimes Attorney
Theft and property crimes often go hand-in-hand, but they are not the same. Also known in Michigan as “larceny,” theft involves taking or possessing stolen goods, assets, property, and other physical and non-physical items.
Property crimes, on the other hand, deal with damaged, compromised, or stolen property. Often, these two types of offenses overlap and the penalties vary greatly, from 93-day misdemeanors to a 20-year felony, or even up to life in prison.
If you have been charged with a theft or property crime, you need our experienced Metro Detroit Criminal Defense team. At The Bennett Law Firm, PLC, we are ready to craft the best defense in your case. Depending on the charge, you could potentially face life in prison and many charges come with stiff fines along with jail time.
You are innocent until proven guilty and we will conduct a thorough investigation to build a case against the prosecutor’s office. Call our Metro Detroit criminal defense team at The Bennett Law Firm, PLC for your no-obligation case review today at 248-281-6991.
Retail Fraud & Shoplifting
Retail fraud or shoplifting is when something is taken, or attempted to be taken, from a store while it is open to the public. Charges for this crime can also be brought for altering the price of an item (usually by switching price tags) making the cost significantly lower than what is currently being offered by the retailer. Retail fraud is broken up into three degrees in Michigan:
Retail Fraud First Degree: Felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison or fine of not more than $10,000 or 3 times the value of the difference in price.
- Value of the property is over $1,000.
- Or if there is a prior conviction for any Retail Fraud offense
Retail Fraud Second Degree: Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail or $2,000 fine, or 3 times the difference in price.
- Value of the property is more than $200 but less than $1,000
Retail Fraud Third Degree: punishable by up to 93 days in jail or a fine of $500 or 3 times the difference in price.
- Value of the property is under $200
If you’ve been charged with Retail Fraud, our team at The Bennett Law Firm, PLC wants to hear your story, and we will build the best defense for your case.
Identity Theft
Someone is charged with Identity Theft or Financial Transaction Device when he or she uses another person’s name, Social Security Number, Credit Card Number or other financial information to acquire services, goods, credit cards, loans or other bank accounts.
An Identity Theft conviction could have you facing up to $25,000 and five years in prison, while a conviction for Financial Transaction Device is also a felony, punishable by up to 4 years in prison and significant fines. If this is the second time you have been charged and convicted, the penalties may be increased. Contact our experienced criminal defense team today to help you fight your Identity Theft and Financial Transaction Device charges.
Home Invasion
The crime of Home Invasion takes place when an individual breaks into or enters a dwelling without the owner’s permission. In Michigan, there are different degrees of charges related to Home Invasion. Home Invasion in the First Degree charge is filed if a dangerous weapon was used or if the crime took place while another person was lawfully in the dwelling. If convicted, the maximum sentence is 20 years in prison with fines up to $5,000.
Other charges can be at the Second or Third Degree level, which comes with less severe penalties if convicted. Contact our experienced legal team today if you are facing any degree of Home Invasion charges.
Breaking and Entering
Charges related to Burglary, also known as Breaking and Entering, can be difficult to understand. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could be facing different penalties if convicted. Our team at The Bennett Law Firm, PLC will help you understand the nuances of your charges and will work with you to build the best defense against the prosecution’s case.
Armed Robbery
Armed Robbery is the act of stealing or attempting to steal something while using force or violence against another person, while in possession of a weapon. Even if someone is not actually armed with a weapon but pretends to, or appears to, have a dangerous weapon while the crime is taking place can and will result in this type of charge.
In Michigan, Armed Robbery is punishable by up to life in prison. If you have been charged with armed robbery charges call The Bennett Law Firm, PLC to start building your defense.
Unarmed / Strong-Arm Robbery and Theft
Compared to Armed Robbery, unarmed robbery or theft does not come with as severe penalties. Theft also is known as larceny is the act of taking something that does not belong to you without an owner’s consent. If any threat or force is used to commit the crime it is known as robbery.
The punishment for Unarmed or Strong-Arm Robbery is up to 10 years in prison.
Contact our Metro Detroit criminal defense team at 248-281-6991 for assistance in your case.
Michigan Arson Charges
Michigan laws related to Arson closely align to federal laws including the amount of time you will spend in jail or prison as well as the fines you will pay if convicted. Arson charges are brought after someone starts or aids in starting fire meant to damage a building, dwelling or other pieces of personal property. There is a lot of leeway in the laws allowing prosecutors a wide amount of discretion in how they may proceed with an arson charge.
At The Bennett Law Firm, PLC, our criminal defense team will explain to you the varying degrees of charges, which range from First to Fifth Degree. The least severe is an Arson in the Fifth Degree charge, which is charged as a misdemeanor and is the result of fire being set to a piece of personal property. The types of property covered under this law include automobiles, vans, trucks, motorcycles, trailers and other personally owned property. If convicted, you could face the following penalties:
- Fines up to $2,000 or up to 3 times the value of the damaged or destroyed property.
- Up to 1 year in jail.
- Combination of fines and jail time.
On the other hand, with a charge of First Degree Arson, you face up to life in prison. This charge is brought when the fire results in a person being physically injured in the fire or fire were set to a multi-unit dwelling, even if no one was injured from the fire. A conviction could come with the following penalties:
- Required to pay up to $20,000 in fines or up to 3 times the value of the damaged or destroyed property.
- Up to life in prison.
- Combination of fines and prison time.
Auto Theft
Auto Theft, more commonly known as Unlawful Driving Away of an Automobile, is intentionally taking possession of and driving away in a motor vehicle belonging to another person, without that person’s consent. If convicted of this felony crime, you could face up to five years in prison. There are varying charges depending on if you were a passenger in the vehicle or if you did not intend to permanently keep the vehicle.
If a threat is used when taking the vehicle you may be charged with Carjacking and could face life in prison. Call The Bennett Law Firm, PLC to help you understand your auto theft charges today.
Embezzlement
There are different levels of Embezzlement charges in Michigan depending on the value of the property or money taken and they can vary from a felony to a misdemeanor. Once the value of the money or property taken is valued over $1,000 you will likely be charged with a felony. Some embezzlement cases fall under federal jurisdiction and there are different levels of penalties and fines if you work someone at a financial institution or are a public officer. Contact the legal at our firm today to help you understand the Embezzlement charges you are facing.
Metro Detroit’s Experienced Theft and Property Crimes Legal Team
Anyone facing a theft or property crime charge in Michigan, needs an aggressive defense attorney to help them throughout the court proceedings. The Bennett Law Firm, PLC Theft and Property Crime defense team is ready to fight for you. Our firm can provide you with a no obligation consultation at 248-281-6991.