I am extremely grateful for the work my criminal attorney Joseph Simon and his paralegal Victoria You did on my case. From the very beginning, they were professional, responsive, and honest about what to expect and expla...
Ray Wang
02/16/2026
Great and experienced lawyer! Very grateful for him!!
Theft charges represent one of the most serious allegations an individual can face in Michigan’s criminal justice system. Whether you’ve been accused of shoplifting, embezzlement, larceny, receiving stolen property, or any other form of theft, the consequences extend far beyond potential jail time. A theft conviction can damage your employment prospects, educational opportunities, housing applications, and professional reputation for years to come. At the Law Offices of Joseph A. Simon, PLLC, we understand the gravity of these charges and bring 35+ years of experience defending clients against theft offenses at every level of severity.
Michigan law distinguishes between various theft offenses based on the value of property allegedly stolen and the circumstances surrounding the alleged crime. These can include larceny, embezzlement, retail theft (shoplifting), receiving stolen property, and theft of services. The classification of your charge—whether misdemeanor or felony—significantly impacts your potential sentence, fines, restitution obligations, and collateral consequences. Some theft charges are prosecuted as felonies carrying penalties of years in prison, while others may be misdemeanors, yet all carry serious implications for your future.
Our approach to theft offense defense combines aggressive legal strategy with meticulous attention to the details of your case. We begin with a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of your alleged offense, examining police procedures, evidence collection methods, witness credibility, and the strength of the prosecution’s case against you. Many theft cases hinge on intent, ownership disputes, or procedural errors in investigation—areas where experienced defense counsel can identify critical weaknesses in the prosecution’s position.
We explore multiple defense strategies tailored to your specific situation. These may include challenging the evidence gathering process, questioning witness identification or reliability, establishing lack of intent, demonstrating rightful ownership claims, or identifying alternative explanations for the alleged conduct. In cases involving retail theft, we examine store security procedures and whether proper protocols were followed. For embezzlement accusations, we scrutinize financial records and accounting practices that may reveal misunderstandings rather than intentional theft.
Facing theft charges without an experienced criminal defense attorney places you at a significant disadvantage. Prosecutors handle these cases routinely and know how to build their cases strategically. Our firm has successfully defended thousands of theft cases throughout Southeast Michigan and has the experience to recognize prosecution weaknesses that less experienced attorneys might miss. We understand how to negotiate effectively with prosecutors, knowing which cases merit aggressive trial preparation and which may benefit from strategic plea negotiations that minimize your exposure.
Beyond the immediate legal battle, we consider the broader impact on your life. We work to explore every available option, including potential diversion programs or alternatives to traditional prosecution that may allow you to avoid a permanent criminal record through successful completion of required conditions.
When you retain our firm for theft offense defense, you receive direct access to Joseph A. Simon’s expertise. Your case will be handled with the same strategic approach that has earned our firm recognition as one of Michigan’s premier criminal defense practices. We’ll conduct thorough discovery review, file appropriate motions challenging evidence or procedure, prepare meticulously for trial if necessary, and advocate aggressively for the best possible outcome.
Throughout the process, we maintain open communication, explaining your options clearly and honestly. You’ll understand the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution’s case, realistic outcomes at each stage, and the reasoning behind our strategic recommendations.
If you’re facing theft charges, don’t wait to secure experienced legal representation. The choices you make now will significantly impact your future. Contact the Law Offices of Joseph A. Simon, PLLC for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll evaluate your case thoroughly and discuss how we can help protect your rights and your future.
Don’t face theft allegations alone. Call Law Offices of Joseph A. Simon, PLLC at (734) 887-6200 for a confidential consultation with an experienced defense attorney ready to protect your rights.
We defend clients charged with all theft-related offenses including shoplifting, grand larceny, petit larceny, embezzlement, identity theft, receiving stolen property, and robbery. Our experienced team handles misdemeanor and felony charges.
Penalties vary based on the value of stolen property, prior criminal history, and specific charges. They can range from fines and probation for misdemeanors to years of imprisonment for felonies. We work to minimize consequences through negotiation or aggressive trial defense.
Possible defenses include lack of intent, mistaken identity, illegal search and seizure, insufficient evidence, and ownership disputes. Each case is unique. We thoroughly investigate the facts and prosecution’s evidence to build the strongest defense strategy.
