Shoplifting is against the law and involves taking possession of an item or items that are for sale without paying for them. You can be charged with retail fraud without even stealing. Just concealing the item is proof of intending to shoplift. The value of the items you have been charged with stealing will determine the severity of your penalties. There are three levels of retail fraud and they are first, second, and third degree retail fraud. First degree retail fraud is a felony and is the most punishable offense of the three. If you have been charged with first degree retail fraud, you could be facing up to 5 years in prison as well as a fine of $10,000, or an amount three times the value of the stolen goods, whichever is more. This means you would be looking at a $10,000 fine minimum. To be charged with felony retail fraud, the value of the shoplifted items must exceed $1,000 unless you have been convicted of shoplifting before, in which case the amount of the stolen goods can be between $200 and $1,000. Second degree retail fraud is a misdemeanor and is punishable with up to a year in county jail as well as a fine of $2,000, or an amount three times the value of the stolen goods, whichever is more. This means you would be looking at a $2,000 fine minimum. Third degree retail fraud is punishable by up to 93 days in jail and at least a $500 fine or three times the value of the stolen merchandise. Third degree retail fraud is only available for individuals with no past shoplifting convictions. When you face any shoplifting charges, it is important to hire qualified and relentless legal representation to fight to keep your record clean. read more

If you’re facing DUI charges in Oakland County, MI, the penalties can be costly and time consuming. After being charged with a DUI or DWI, it can stay on your driving record for the rest of your life. Depending on how many DUI or DWI offenses you have, you could lose your driver’s license, face probation, community service, or even jail time. Once on your criminal record, DUI’s cannot be expunged. If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Oakland County, you’ll want to find a DUI defense attorney in the Oakland County, Michigan area who falls under a few key categories. read more

Medical Malpractice

Being a victim of medical malpractice is a serious health and legal issue. According to a Johns Hopkins University study, over 250,000 deaths occur each year due to medical malpractice in the United States, making it the third highest cause of death. If you feel you have suffered medical injuries due to a violation of health care standards, knowing your rights as a patient is an important first step. Hiring qualified, experienced lawyers is what you need to hold the responsible parties accountable. You need to hire lawyers who will stand up to medical insurance companies and fight for compensation for your injuries. It is important to hire a lawyer who has experience in handling medical malpractice cases due to the nature of litigation involved in these types of cases. read more

Time to Hire a Defense Attorney

It can be a scary time if you have been charged with a crime and face possibly losing your job, being fined or going to jail. One of the hardest parts of getting your life back on track is the uncertainty that comes with the whole legal process. When you are convicted of a crime, it can be a nightmare trying to figure out where to go from there or what next steps to take. The right attorney can make all the difference if you have legal issues and require professional representation. read more

Parents going through a divorce will need to prepare for a custody battle. There are several issues to resolve in a divorce and child custody disputes are one of the most difficult for the parents and children. In the past, it was common for the mother to gain custody and for the father to provide child support. Recently, it has become more common for fathers to win custody disputes equal to mothers. Courts aren’t so much concerned about assigning custody based on gender identification, rather their primary goal is to rule in favor of the child’s best interest. In the state of Michigan, there are a number of distinct factors that weigh in on the determination of what is in the best interest of the child and who will ultimately get custody. If you are a parent dealing with a custody battle, The Law Office of Jack L. Jaffe is here to offer you valuable advice. read more

With more than 30 years as practicing criminal law attorneys, we’ve seen numerous kinds of criminal law charges and cases. Sometimes they go to trial and sometimes they don’t, but one constant is the need for good legal advice and counseling throughout the proceedings. Often, we see cases where criminal charges could have easily been avoided if an individual had known more about the law in the first place. You don’t always have to wait until charges are filed before seeking the advice of experienced trial lawyers. Knowing some basic facts about the law, especially those laws that pertain to everyday activities, can go a long way to keeping someone out of trouble. read more

With the festivities in Royal Oak throughout Fourth of July weekend now over, some citizens may now have to deal with the consequences of driving under the influence (DUI). According to Michigan law, individuals under 21 must follow a zero tolerance BAC (blood alcohol content), while those 21 and older may have up to a .08% tolerance, and commercial drivers are only allowed a .04% tolerance

First time DUI offenders may receive up to 93 days in jail, fines of up to $500, and a suspended license of up to 6 months, while repeat offenders will receive longer jail terms (and/or community service), increased fines, and a minimum 1 year suspended license. read more