Northern Michigan Property Crime Attorney

Comprehensive Defense Strategies

Being charged with a property crime in Michigan can mean any number of charges, from home invasion and larceny to arson and willful destruction of property. All of these crimes involve being charged with stealing, tampering with, or otherwise destroying another person’s property. Since property rights are one of the bedrocks of this country’s foundation, Michigan takes these charges very seriously and will punish the convicted to the fullest extent of the law.

If you are facing property crime charges, you need and deserve the support of a criminal defense attorney you can trust. As a Northern Michigan property crime attorney with over 35 years of experience, I offer aggressive and client-focused representation and can help you mitigate the consequences of a conviction or avoid a conviction altogether.

Call me at (231) 399-3144 to schedule a free consultation.

Home Invasion

Home invasion occurs when someone enters another person’s dwelling without consent in order to commit a crime. The seriousness of home invasion depends on certain factors.

Home invasion can be charged in the:

• Third degree, which occurs when someone enters a home when no one is present in order to commit a misdemeanor. This is punishable by up to five years in prison.
• Second degree, which occurs when a home is entered with intent to commit a felony, larceny, or assault. This is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
• First degree, which occurs when a home is entered to commit a felony, larceny, or assault, AND a person is in the home or the defendant had a weapon. This is an extremely serious charge that carries up to 20 years in prison.

Larceny

Larceny occurs when someone steals property that is not theirs. The punishment for this crime depends on the value of the goods stolen.

For items valued between $200 and $1,000 (not including motor vehicles), it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. If the property is valued at $1,000-$20,000, then it becomes felony larceny punishable by up to five years in prison. Anything stolen valued at more than $20,000 can result in a ten-year prison sentence.

These are the penalties for a first-time offense. If a person has previous convictions of larceny, they will face the next highest punishment for their particular crime. Because of this, it is important to contact an experienced Michigan larceny lawyer to keep this conviction off your record.

Arson

Arson is the crime of illegally burning, damaging, or destroying property by fire. The Michigan legislature recently passed a law making penalties for arson even more severe. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the arson, penalties range anywhere from 10 years in prison to life. Because of this serious threat to a person’s liberty, the accused should contact a knowledgeable Northern Michigan property crimes lawyer right away.

Vandalism

Willful and malicious destruction of property, otherwise known as vandalism, occurs when someone intentionally destroys property that is not their own. While this is sometimes associated with teenagers causing mischief, the penalties can be severe, depending on the value of the property. Penalties for this crime range from 93 days in prison all the way up to 10 years, along with significant civil penalties.

Consult with Ross Hickman Law Office

I have been handling property crime cases for over 35 years as both a defense attorney and a prosecutor. This experience can help you achieve a positive outcome in your unique case. My firm is prepared to build a defense against your charges, keeping serious crimes off your record and keeping you out of jail. I can aggressively pursue any and all avenues in finding a defense for your case.

Contact my firm online or call (231) 399-3144 now.