Monroe Theft and Property Crimes Lawyers

At Grabel & Associates, we have spent decades protecting the constitutional rights, freedom, and futures of individuals in Monroe who are accused of stealing, damaging, or unlawfully possessing someone else’s property. As experienced theft and property crimes lawyers, we approach every case with the understanding that an arrest is not a conviction and that proactive, strategic advocacy can mean the difference between a temporary, albeit stressful, situation and a permanent criminal record.

Our client-first, team-oriented approach reflects our philosophy. Our Monroe County criminal defense team collaborates, investigates, and fights together, always with our client’s best interests at the forefront.

What Are the Theft and Property Crimes Laws in Monroe?

Michigan statutes address a broad spectrum of misconduct involving personal or real property. Standard terms like “larceny,” “embezzlement,” “retail fraud,” and “malicious destruction” each refer to distinct offenses with unique elements that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

Although every charge requires individual analysis, theft and property crime cases typically share three core ideas:

• someone else’s property interest,
• an alleged wrongful taking or damaging act, and
• a corresponding level of intent.

Because intent can be inferred from circumstantial evidence, we take special care to scrutinize the police narrative and challenge conclusions not firmly grounded in evidence.

Common Theft Offenses We Defend in Monroe

Our theft and property crimes defense team regularly defends clients in the 1st District Court and the 38th Circuit Court against charges, including the following:

• Larceny. MCL 750.356 covers everything from misdemeanor shoplifting to high-felony theft. The dollar value of the property (e.g., less than $200, $200-$1,000, $1,000-$20,000, or more than $20,000) drives the penalty scale. Still, prior convictions can also escalate a lower-level larceny into a more serious offense. We start by challenging valuation evidence, ownership, and whether the element of “taking and carrying away” actually occurred.
• Retail Fraud (Shoplifting). Retail fraud, more commonly known as shoplifting, in the first, second, or third degree (MCL 750.356c), applies to conduct in an open retail setting, such as scanning-switch scams at Walmart on North Telegraph Road, tag switching at the Mall of Monroe, or concealing merchandise at a gas station. The prosecution must establish an intent to permanently deprive the merchant, which is often inferred from testimony by store detectives or surveillance footage. We frequently employ expert video analysis and negotiate civil demand waivers to position cases for dismissal or reduced pleas.
• Embezzlement. When the accused holds a position of trust, such as a cashier at Meijer, treasurer of a local nonprofit, or office administrator, MCL 750.174 becomes relevant. Embezzlement cases hinge on proving a fiduciary relationship and a fraudulent conversion of funds. We dissect financial records, audit trails, and internal controls to reveal alternative explanations, such as clerical mistakes or inadequate oversight.
• Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property. Under MCL 750.535, merely possessing property that one “knows or has reason to know” is stolen constitutes a crime. Disputes over knowledge and reasonable belief frequently arise in Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist transactions. We approach this element aggressively, emphasizing our clients’ lack of awareness and the often ambiguous circumstances surrounding second-hand purchases.
• Property Crimes That Do Not Involve Theft. Monroe police and prosecutors also pursue property crime cases where the allegation involves damage, rather than theft.
• Malicious Destruction of Property. Whether a teenager allegedly keyed a parked vehicle on West Front Street or an angry landlord damaged a tenant’s belongings, MCL 750.377a makes it a crime to willfully and maliciously destroy or damage someone else’s property. Dollar thresholds align with the larceny statute to determine whether the accused is charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. We often secure independent repair estimates to contest inflated replacement costs that the State uses to bootstrap a felony.
• Home Invasion and Burglary. Home invasion in the first, second, or third degree (MCL 750.110a) covers breaking into a dwelling with intent to commit a felony, assault, or theft. Because “intent” must exist at the time of entry, we explore alternative narratives, such as intoxication, mistaken address, and abandonment, to defeat this essential element. Sometimes, we negotiate for trespass or attempted entry charges with significantly lower penalties.
• Arson and Burning Offenses. A surprisingly broad set of statutes (MCL 750.72 to MCL 750.80) criminalizes burning real or personal property, even if the accused is a co-owner. Insurance investigations often intersect with criminal probes, and statements made to claim adjusters can be used in court proceedings. We coordinate with civil counsel to safeguard your Fifth Amendment rights during parallel proceedings.

What are the Consequences of a Theft and Property Crimes Charge in Monroe?

Michigan courts classify property offenses by statutory maximums that range from 93-day misdemeanors to 20-year felonies. Beyond incarceration, judges may impose the following punishments:

• Restitution: Full or partial payment for losses the victim suffered that are proved by a preponderance of the evidence.
• Probation with Special Conditions: Additional probation conditions, including anti-theft classes, curfews, and continuous alcohol monitoring.
• Driver’s License Sanctions: Certain retail fraud convictions trigger Secretary of State penalties.
• Civil Forfeiture: The police may seize assets allegedly tied to a crime, such as vehicles, cash, and other personal property.

We calculate sentencing guideline scores early and craft mitigation packages, including employment records, counseling documentation, community service records, and other relevant information, to advocate for non-custodial terms. When the guidelines call for jail or prison, we fight for downward departures based on substantial and compelling reasons unique to our client’s circumstances.

What is the Long-Term Impact of a Theft and Property Charge?

A property offense on your record can derail college applications, professional licensing, international travel, and future employment. Retail fraud is particularly stigmatizing for jobs that involve handling cash or working with sensitive data. We pursue every avenue to guard our client’s reputation: Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) status for defendants who were between the ages of 17 and 23 at the time of the offense, 7411 deferrals (MCL 333.7411) for first-time drug-related property damage, and specialty court referrals when mental health or substance abuse issues are a factor.

The Investigation Process in Monroe County

The Monroe City Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police Monroe Post, and other local law enforcement officials build their cases using a mix of eyewitness statements, in-store loss-prevention reports, and digital evidence (POS data, Bluetooth beacons, ALPR camera hits, etc.). To uncover inconsistencies, we file early motions for body-worn camera footage, 911 audio, and dispatch logs under Brady and Giglio principles.

When electronics are involved, we serve preservation letters to online retailers, ISPs, and cell phone carriers, ensuring that metadata is not overwritten. Inevitable or altered chain-of-custody missteps frequently surface when multiple agencies handle the same evidence. Establishing even one unaccounted-for transfer can undermine the State’s ability to authenticate key exhibits.

Strategic Defenses for a Theft and Property Crimes Charge in Monroe County

Every case demands a tailored defense strategy. That said, recurring strategies we turn to include the following:

• Identity Challenges: Poor-quality surveillance video, ambiguous eyewitness descriptions, or suggestive lineup procedures can undermine the reliability of witness testimony.
• Lack of Intent: Mistaken borrowing, belief of ownership, or intent to pay before exiting a store can all contradict the prosecution’s case on the intent element.
• Valuation Disputes: We often must dispute the state’s reliance on replacement cost instead of fair market value.
• Fourth Amendment Violations: Illegal searches of backpacks, vehicles, or cell phones without a warrant or valid exception violate your Fourth Amendment rights.
• Entrapment: Particularly in organized retail theft stings, when law enforcement’s inducement crosses the line, the hard-to-prove defense of entrapment may be a viable option.

Our integrated approach pairs seasoned trial attorneys with former prosecutors, skilled investigators, and forensic accountants. We meet the State's evidence-for-evidence and expert-for-expert requirements.

Why Early Intervention is Crucial

Not every accusation turns into charges and an arraignment. In many shoplifting or employee-theft scenarios, detectives may request an “interview” at the Monroe Police Department or issue a target letter. Contacting us before talking to law enforcement can prevent damaging admissions, secure favorable charge reductions, or, in some cases, persuade the prosecutor not to file charges. Our relationships with Monroe County assistant prosecutors allow us to present exculpatory information informally, saving our clients the public embarrassment of an arrest record.

Working With Grabel & Associates

When you retain us, we begin with a comprehensive case map:

• Client-Centered Narrative Session: Your story, goals, and any underlying issues (family, employment, and mental health) that can impact the outcome of your case.
• Evidence Audit: Systematic review of the police report, body-cam files, and discovery to flag weaknesses.
• Defense Blueprint: Timeline, obligated filings, expert retainer deadlines, and trial-readiness benchmarks.

Weekly team meetings ensure continuous momentum in defending your case. You receive regular status updates, and every major decision, plea negotiations, evidentiary motion strategy, or trial theory, runs through you.

Why We Are the Leading Theft and Property Crimes Defense Firm in Monroe

We leverage more than 20 years of statewide experience exclusively in criminal defense. Our attorneys have argued landmark cases before the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court, influencing how lower courts apply property crime enhancements and habitual offender sentencing. Because our practice is statewide, we compare charging trends in Washtenaw, Wayne, and Macomb Counties with those in Monroe County to identify disparities that can be leveraged in plea negotiations.

Grabel & Associates maintains a 24/7 hotline because arrests do not keep business hours, and we assign an attorney to every after-hours call. Our credentialed investigator team includes former state police detectives who are well-versed in the methods and procedures employed by local officers during interrogations and the drafting of reports. Most importantly, we never forget that behind every file number is a person with family, work, and community ties that hang in the balance.

Take the First Step Toward Protecting Your Future

If you or a loved one is facing allegations of theft or a property crime in Monroe, time is critical. The earlier we engage, the greater our ability to secure surveillance footage, interview witnesses while memories are fresh, and negotiate with the prosecutor before formalities are filed.

Call Grabel & Associates today or complete our confidential online form. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, and we will begin crafting a defense designed to protect your freedom, your record, and your peace of mind immediately.

At Grabel & Associates, we do not measure success by the number of cases we close. We measure it by the number of futures we help rebuild. Let us start rebuilding yours right now.