Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

I am a 55 yr old grandma. I took a sewing pattern into a local fabric store yesterday morning, it was in my purse. I took it there to compare with other patterns. I returned the pattern to my purse and paid for the other one I was buying. I made my way out the door where I was stopped and asked by a man if he could "see in your bag" I allowed it and he reached in and took out my pattern and said I was seen putting this in my purse and stealing it. I tried to tell him I brought it from home but he asked his son how many patterns he saw me place in my purse, he said 2. He called the police and I was given a ticket for retain fraud in the third degree. The pattern cost would have been $10.40.

What I need to know is what I should do. I am living on $900 a month disability and cannot really afford a lawyer.

The store also has a picture from a survailance that does look like me, but I am a shopper in that store on previous occasions. I have NO prior arrests, only a speeding ticket.

Hope you can give me some advice

Thank you


Asked on 6/29/10, 4:14 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Daniel Hajji Daniel Hajji & Associates

You should fight the charge. If you really cannot retain a good criminal defense attorney, ask the Judge to appoint you an attorney. Seems you have a good defense to retail fraud. Best of Luck to you and if you should require more information or would like to talk to our attorneys, visit our website at www.oaklandcountydefenseattorney.com

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Answered on 6/29/10, 7:35 pm


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