Shoplifting, also known as retail fraud, is a common juvenile crime that involves stealing or changing the price of an item in a store with the intent to not pay for the item, or not pay full price for the item. If your child has been accused of shoplifting, it is important to contact an experienced juvenile criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible, and fight to protect his or her rights and freedom. Grabel & Associates has extensive experience in theft and retail fraud cases, and we will do everything we can to ensure you receive the most comprehensive defense throughout every stage of your case.
Retail fraud can lead to restitution payments, probation, rehabilitation, and other penalties, and if the alleged offender has a criminal history, is approaching the age of 18, or has stolen high-value goods, jail time is possible. In rare cases, juvenile offenders can be sentenced as adults, which could lead to a lasting criminal record.
Avoid jeopardizing your future by carrying the reputation of a thief with you; battle against wrongful conviction or excessive punishment with our team of defense lawyers. Our experience in juvenile courts, Michigan criminal courts, and outside the court room in difficult theft cases will be extremely valuable to you throughout the justice process, and we will help you explore every legal option available, ensuring no detail of your case is overlooked.
If a person under the age of 18 steals goods from a store, or alters, transfers, removes and replaces, conceals, or otherwise misrepresents the price of an item with the intent to not pay full price for that item, retail fraud charges are possible. Retail fraud in the first degree occurs when the value of goods or price difference is over $1,000, and can result in significant fines along with other penalties. While other shoplifting charges are misdemeanors, first degree retail fraud is considered a felony and could lead to sentencing as an adult. If the value of goods is under $1,000, but more than $200, 2nd degree retail fraud charges can result. If the goods are valued under $200, 3rd degree retail fraud charges are possible.
Any retail fraud charge should be taken extremely seriously, and while shoplifting may not seem like a serious offense, the penalties faced could be life-changing. Protecting the future of juvenile clients is high priority for our firm, and no matter what the details of your retail fraud case, our attorneys are available now to objectively defend you in any county statewide. Contact our firm immediately for a free initial case consultation, and speak with an analyst who can provide you with more information about juvenile courts and the penalties that could result in your specific case. Juvenile crime case decisions are very dependent on the specifics of the case, the judge faced, the history of the defendant, and other factors, and working with an attorney will help you properly prepare and set yourself up for success. We know what the courts need to hear in order to decide on a result that is beneficial for you, and will use proven defense strategies to represent your best interests throughout your case.
In any criminal case, it is critical to look back at what really happened, and our attorneys personally investigate the details of all juvenile crime cases rather than trusting the initial reports from police and others. Our attorneys will help you understand how to protect your rights and guard against aggressive questioning and other police tactics that could lead to damaging penalties.
Call our firm immediately for a free, confidential consultation whether you are under the age of 18 and facing shoplifting accusations, or if you are a parent of an accused juvenile. We will give you complete control of your legal actions while providing knowledgeable direction that will help you make informed decisions about your legal future.
If you have been charged with a juvenile shoplifting offense in Michigan, or if you believe you may face juvenile delinquency accusations. Call 1-800-342-7896 or contact us online as soon as possible, our team is available 24/7 to speak with you. Working with an attorney is always the right first step to take after criminal allegations, and it is wrong to ever assume that just because the defendant is young, serious penalties will not result. Grabel & Associates will aggressively defend your rights, freedom, and future in any of Michigan’s 83 counties no matter what charge you face.