Unarmed Robbery and Theft Attorney in Lansing
Though not as serious as an armed robbery, unarmed robbery is still not something you would want to stand trial for, so it is very important that you seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Call the associates at Grabel & Associates in Lansing, MI. Our aggressive theft and robbery attorneys know the law inside and out, and we will work with you to refute the charges brought against you and ensure your rights are protected.
Robbery and Larceny
In the eyes of Michigan law, robbery and larceny generally mean the same thing. They are defined as taking the money or property without the other person's permission in order to deprive the other person of said property or money or to sell the property. An unarmed robbery conviction could lead to up to 15 years in prison, depending on several factors.
It is important to know that any violence of threats that are made during the course of the robbery will be taken into account. For example, if an unarmed person breaks into an empty home in Lansing and is then accosted by the owner who just walked in, the actions taken by the robber may contribute to the conviction.
If the robber surrenders and does not attempt to hurt the owner, then he or she may not face the full 15-year sentence. However, if the robbery attempts to hurt the owner or threaten to do so, then the consequences could be severe. Call the attorneys at Grabel & Associates if you find yourself facing an unarmed robbery charge, no matter how severe it is.
Types of Unarmed Robbery
When many people think of unarmed robbery, they might think of robbing a home when no one is around or a person mugging another in the street. Actually, there are many more types of theft that fall under the unarmed robbery category, including several types of white collar crime.
Some of the most common types of unarmed robbery are:
Shoplifting, also called retail fraud, occurs when a person takes something from a store without paying for it. If the store presses charges, this will be considered a misdemeanor, but there is the potential for it to turn into armed robbery. If the person tries to use a weapon to escape loss prevention when exiting the store, a small misdemeanor might turn into an armed robbery charge. If you are facing such a charge, call Grabel & Associates immediately.
Embezzlement is considered property theft in Michigan. Outlined in Section 750.174 of the Michigan Penal Code, embezzlement means that a person entrusted with someone else's money steals a part of it or all of it for their own personal gain. Traditionally, you might think of high-level executives using part of the company's money to fund lavish trips for themselves as embezzlement, but anyone in charge of someone else's money can really be accused of embezzlement.
Depending on the amount embezzled, the punishment can range from jail time between 93 days and 20 years and fines from $2,000 to $50,000. Speak with a skilled attorney for more information about embezzlement charges.
Home invasion is another common unarmed theft charge. A first degree home invasion felony and can come with penalties of up to 20 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. In most cases, first degree home invasion charges are reserved for those unlawfully entering with a dangerous or deadly weapon, but depending on what a person has on him or her at the time, a prosecutor may try to make a compelling case for first degree home invasion. Before this happens, contact an attorney immediately.
Second and third degree home invasions are serious, but come with slightly lighter consequences. If a person unlawfully enters another's home and intends but does not actually commit a felony, assault, or larceny, then it is a second degree home invasion, which is often punished with up to 15 years in prison and as much as $3,000 in fines.
Third degree home invasion involves breaking and entering a person's home with the intent to commit or committing a misdemeanor inside the house. This felony charge can result in up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $2,000.
Bank, safe, and vault robbery (750.531) might sound like something out of an action movie, but in reality, this is a heavy crime that has consequences. Though it usually involves the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon, a person can still be charged with bank, safe, and vault robbery if the person threatens or uses scare tactics such as kidnapping or intimidation in order to compel a bank employee to open a safe, vault, or depository. If convicted, a person may spend life in prison. As this can be a very serious crime, do not hesitate to call an attorney if you believe you will be charged with this crime.
Contact Grabel & Associates
Theft is a serious crime in Lansing, and it comes with intense ramifications. Besides having trouble finding and holding down a good job, your reputation may suffer greatly if convicted. Anyone who performs a background check on you will automatically see your conviction. If you do not want these charges to follow you for a very long time, it is vital that you call Grabel & Associates now.
To contact Grabel & Associates, call toll-free at 1-800-342-7896 or contact us through our website. Do not gamble on your freedom. Call us today at any time and get started on getting your life back.