Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

Re: Laws in Mich.

The prosecutor would have to make that call. The value of the ipod is also at issue to make something a felony. Tim klisz

Re: Laws in Mich.

In your situation, the prosecutor has quite a few charges to choose between ... both misdemeanors and felonies. They include various levels of B&E Auto With Intent to Steal (where the level of charge is determines by the value of what was stolen); B&E Auto With Intent to Steal Causing Damage (a felony); a general Larceny charge (the level determined by the item's value); Malicious Destruction of Personal Property ((the level determined by the item's value); etc.

Larceny From a Motor Vehicle (a felony) is also a possible charge to issue, but unlikely. This is usually charged when something attached "to" the car (e.g., wheel, tire, radio, stereo) is stolen. But the statue also applies to electronic devides connected to the car (e.g., telephone, computer). Personally, I would probably not issue this crime where an iPod is stolen. I'd look at one of the other charges listed above.

One of the responsibilities that a prosecutor has is to decide both which charge(s) among several possible charges CAN be issued, and which charge(s) SHOULD be issued. Factors include the defendant's prior record, the egregiousness of certain facts, etc. Prosecutors have wide charging discretion. In a case like yours, that discretion can result in a wide range of charges and levels of charges being issued.