Property Crimes

Grand Rapids Property Crimes Lawyer

If you have been charged with a property crime in Michigan, you want a lawyer who is dedicated to earning great results in your criminal case. At the Van Den Heuvel Law Office, we provide top-quality defense strategies and arguments. We aggressively defend you from the day we are retained until we achieve a positive result for you. We care about your future and are committed to vigorously protecting your rights,

Theft

Theft refers to the act of stealing and can be a misdemeanor or felony. Retail fraud or shoplifting is one of the most common types of theft. Retail fraud often occurs when a person physically removes the merchandise from a store without paying for it, but it can also include altering or switching the price tags, working with a store employee to commit theft, or obtaining a fraudulent refund. If the value of the merchandise stolen is under $200, the maximum punishment is 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine (or 3 times the value of the merchandise). As the price of the stolen merchandise or the number of prior convictions increases, so do the applicable punishments.

Robbery

Robbery is the act of stealing property or money. If you use force, violence, or fear to obtain the property or money, you can be charged with a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. It is important to note that even attempted robbery can result in severe criminal punishment. If it is proven that you made threats using a weapon, you could face armed robbery charges that could result in a life sentence in jail.

Burglary

Burglary or "breaking and entering" means entering a building or remaining in a building with the intent to commit a crime inside the building. Under Michigan law, an individual who breaks and enters a building "with intent to commit a felony or a larceny therein" is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment of not more than 10 years. If the crime is committed with a firearm, the maximum sentence is up to 20 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.

Larceny

Larceny means the act of taking something from someone unlawfully. It is often used when the charge is based upon circumstantial evidence. Larceny can be the unlawful taking of property or money from a person, vehicle, or building. The punishment can be imprisonment, hefty fines, or both.

Home Invasion

Home invasion is a serious criminal charge in Michigan, and any degree of home invasion could result in a felony conviction. A home invasion charge begins with an allegation of breaking and entering, which means you broke down a door or climbed through a window to enter the structure unlawfully. It may also include the use of false pretenses or fraud to enter a home. The penalties for home invasion vary in degrees but include imprisonment (5 to 20 years) and costly fines ($2,000 to $5,000). It is imperative to obtain the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney if you have been charged with a home invasion.

Protect Your Rights by Calling a Grand Rapids Property Crime Attorney

Our legal team at the Van Den Heuvel Law Office works diligently to protect clients from the negative consequences of theft, burglary, robbery, and other property crime convictions. Contact us online or call 616-698-0000 for an initial consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available by request in-house or via Skype.