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Flint Theft Lawyer

Since the recession hit in 2008, property crimes such as theft have been on the rise in Flint, Michigan. In the vacuum left by the auto industry, ordinary folks have been pushed to take more and more desperate measures to make ends meet. Unfortunately, the criminal justice system is blind to the plight of many of Flint’s residents as they struggle with crumbling wages and mounting bills. Anyone suspected of theft will be prosecuted with the full force of the law.

At Drias Law Group, we are committed to the cause of social justice. This means helping people get a second chance when they face a criminal charge. If you’ve been charged with theft, an experienced Flint theft lawyer can guide your case to a positive resolution. To learn more about how we can assist you specifically, call us today at (810) 644-5660 for a free and confidential consultation.

The Penalties For Theft in Michigan Are Harsh

Theft – or larceny, as it is called in Michigan – is a serious crime. If you get convicted of larceny, you can expect to face jail time, community service, and fines that are proportional to the value of the property you allegedly stole. In addition to these criminal penalties, your conviction for larceny may result in any of the following consequences:

  • Expensive court costs and legal fees
  • A misdemeanor or felony on your criminal record
  • An order to pay back the alleged victims
  • Lost employment
  • Inability to get a new job because of your criminal record
  • Trouble applying to colleges
  • Ineligibility for many professional licenses
  • For felons, revoked rights to bear arms
  • For immigrants, possible deportation

Taken as a whole, the effects of a Michigan theft conviction can turn your life upside down. This is why you should take the defense of your case seriously and hire the best Flint criminal lawyer you can find.

How Can a Flint Theft Attorney Help?

At Drias Law Group, we have experience handling the following types of Michigan theft cases:

  • Larceny — This is the broadest category of theft, which includes offenses that range from misdemeanors to felonies involving devastating fines and long prison sentences. The penalties depend largely on the value of the things you allegedly stole.
  • Retail Fraud — Most people know this offense as shoplifting, which in addition to stealing goods from a store includes switching price tags in order to pay less for an item. Depending on the value of the property you allegedly took, this offense may be either a felony or a misdemeanor.
  • Car Theft — Flint has the highest rate of auto theft in Michigan, and the authorities vigorously pursue these cases in an effort to curb this trend. Auto theft is always a felony.
  • Identity Theft — This is a complex and broad category of criminal activity that at its core involves using another person’s identification or financial information for your benefit without that person’s consent. A conviction for this offense can involve severe penalties.

If you’ve been charged with one of these crimes, it’s likely that a prosecutor has tried to convince you to plead guilty. As a former prosecutor, Attorney Martin Drias knows how prosecutors try to pressure criminal defendants into pleading guilty and giving up their right to trial. Even if your case stands little chance of succeeding at trial, a good lawyer should be able to negotiate a better plea agreement for you.

Before negotiating a plea agreement with the prosecutor, however, Attorney Davis will thoroughly review the evidence that the prosecutor intends to use against you. Some of it may be excludable from the case. What evidence is left over might not be enough to sustain the charges, so the case may be dismissed before trial. If the case does go to trial, the available evidence may show some reasonable doubt as to whether you are guilty of theft.

There are several ways for you to avoid a theft conviction. If you’re facing theft charges, a Flint criminal defense attorney can lead your case to a positive outcome. At Drias Law Group, we stand ready to give your case the thorough defense it deserves. If you want to learn about how we can help you specifically, call us today at (810) 644-5660 for a free and confidential consultation of your case.