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Everyone knows that taking something that does not belong to you is against the law, but you might be surprised about the severe nature of Michigan theft crimes. A conviction for a misdemeanor may include jail time, and you could be spending years behind bars for a felony. It is reassuring to know that there are defenses in larceny cases, but it takes a solid strategy to leverage them in court. You may not know where to begin with fighting the allegations, yet you have important rights at stake with a theft crimes case.
Considering the serious penalties you could face for larceny, your first priority should be retaining skilled legal representation. David G. Moore, Attorney at Law, is ready to tackle the challenges with theft offenses, as he worked on the prosecutor’s side before moving into private practice for criminal defense. Mr. Moore will seek out all opportunities to defend the allegations, but there may be opportunities for plea bargaining and mitigation techniques.
To learn more about your defense options, please contact David G. Moore, Attorney at Law. A Portage theft crimes lawyer can provide details on how Michigan laws apply to your case.
For a basic larceny case, the prosecutor must prove that you stole someone else’s money, property, or other items. The different levels of theft vary according to the value of the items taken.
The duration of the process varies, but a case will usually take several weeks from arrest to pretrial to the final trial. It will be shorter if you present defenses that lead to a dismissal of the charges.
Misdemeanor theft is punishable by up to a year incarceration, but first-time offenders could avoid jail time. If the value of the property exceeds $20,000, the charge is a felony. You face up to 10 years in prison.
Your strategy starts by attacking weaknesses in the government’s case and trying to get evidence tossed. You cannot be convicted if the prosecutor cannot prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Additional defenses include mistake or lack of intent.
Working out a plea bargain with the prosecution is a possibility if it serves your interests. You will need to plead guilty to theft, but you could get a reduction on the charges, punishment, or both.
Dedicate your search to candidates that focus on criminal law and have skills defending larceny charges. Your Portage theft offenses lawyer should also have extensive courtroom experience fighting for clients.