Most people view shoplifting as a minor offense that won't result in going to jail, and possibly not even showing up on your Michigan criminal record. Well, a new Michigan law is now in effect in Michigan where shoplifting can be considered a felony no matter how small or inexpensive of an item you steal. A new law makes Michigan retail fraud a five year felony if the items were stolen for the purpose of reselling the goods. These items might be sold during face to face transactions, but more commonly and easier for law enforcement to take, these items would be sold on eBay or Craigslist.
This means if you go into a department store, steal a purse and list it on eBay, you could sit in prison for five years. Now, many first offender programs may apply depending upon your age and circumstances, but it's a lot more difficult to keep a felony off a record than a misdemeanor, and if you have to take a conviction, a felony could be a game changer. Prosecutors will also use this charge to get more pleas from people. They will charge the felony and possibly offer a plea to a misdemeanor, and most people will jump at that, but there could be an understanding that if the person takes the misdemeanor, they will not get a first offender program on top of it. Law enforcement is always looking for more ways to make criminals out of people and make more money for their county, city or township. This law is going to change how Michigan retail fraud is viewed for years to come.
This means if you go into a department store, steal a purse and list it on eBay, you could sit in prison for five years. Now, many first offender programs may apply depending upon your age and circumstances, but it's a lot more difficult to keep a felony off a record than a misdemeanor, and if you have to take a conviction, a felony could be a game changer. Prosecutors will also use this charge to get more pleas from people. They will charge the felony and possibly offer a plea to a misdemeanor, and most people will jump at that, but there could be an understanding that if the person takes the misdemeanor, they will not get a first offender program on top of it. Law enforcement is always looking for more ways to make criminals out of people and make more money for their county, city or township. This law is going to change how Michigan retail fraud is viewed for years to come.