Michigan criminal statutes refer to theft crimes as “larceny.” A person commits criminal larceny in Michigan if they steal property that belongs to another person.
The severity of a Michigan theft crime depends on the value of the property stolen, and whether the person charged with a theft crime has prior convictions for committing or attempting to commit a theft crime.
If you have been charged with a theft crime in Michigan, it is important that you hire a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
At Elmen Legal, I represent people who have been charged with theft crimes in Ann Arbor, Saline, Pittsfield Township, Chelsea, or Ypsilanti, and in Washtenaw, Wayne, Monroe, Lenawee, Hillsdale, Jackson, Ingham, Livingston, and Oakland counties.
If you have been charged with stealing property valued at more than $20,000, you face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000 or 3 times the value of the property stolen, whichever is greater.
If the property you allegedly stole is valued between $1,000 and $20,000, you face felony charges that are punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 or three times the value of the property stolen, whichever is greater.
You can also face felony theft charges for stealing motor vehicles, trailers, or a motor vehicle part, even if the value of those parts or vehicles is not valued at more than $1,000.
If the value of the goods you are charged with stealing is valued between $200 and $1,000, you face charges of second-degree misdemeanor larceny. Second-degree misdemeanor larceny is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000 or three times the value of the goods stolen, whichever is greater.
If the goods or services stolen are valued at less than $200, you face charges of petty theft, which is punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
The value of property stolen in separate incidents over the course of a 12-month period may be aggregated for purposes of sentencing.
If you have prior convictions for a theft offense, penalties will be one degree of severity higher than the charged offense. For example, if you are charged with petty larceny but have a prior theft conviction, you will face penalties for second-degree misdemeanor theft.
If you have been charged with a Michigan theft crime, you need an experienced and tenacious criminal defense attorney on your side. A criminal defense attorney will evaluate and challenge the prosecution’s evidence against you, work to negotiate a plea deal, and represent you at trial, if necessary.
To defend someone accused of a theft crime in Michigan, the value of the property that was allegedly stolen is a critical element of the crime. Sometimes prosecutors will try to distort the value of the property in question to increase the severity of the offense. A good criminal defense attorney will have the property in question appraised to determine its value.
Fingerprint evidence may be another key piece of evidence in a Michigan theft case. An experienced Michigan criminal defense attorney will have the fingerprint evidence reviewed by an expert and analyze the procedures used to collect the evidence. An attorney will also determine who else may have had access to the area where the fingerprints were taken to challenge the validity of the evidence and how reliable it really is.
Finally, a criminal defense attorney will conduct an independent investigation to gather evidence that shows why you are Not Guilty. An attorney’s independent investigation can be used to detail what the prosecution’s evidence does not show. This can be useful in challenging the prosecution’s case and arguing for a lesser charge or a Not Guilty verdict.
If you are facing Michigan theft charges, you need a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. At Elmen Legal, I will work hard to protect your rights to due process and make sure that your constitutional rights have not been violated.
I proudly represent people in and around Ann Arbor who have been charged with theft crimes. I understand that, if you have been charged with a crime, you have questions and need answers. I also understand that I am meeting you during a stressful time in your life and that I am not seeing you at your best. That’s why I work hard to ensure that I take care of people as an individual, and not just as a case. I will proudly advocate for you in court, but I also want to help you through a difficult time.
Learn more about me and the services I provide, get answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and read reviews from other people I’ve helped. Then contact Elmen Legal today to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case.
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