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Penalties for Theft
October 10th, 2024
In Wyoming, the crime of theft occurs when a person “knowingly takes, obtains, procures, retains or exercises control over…the property of another person without authorization or by threat or by deception, [and] he:
- Intends to deprive the other person of the use or benefit of the property;
- Knowingly uses, receives, conceals, abandons or disposes of the property in such manner as to deprive the other person of its use or benefit; or
- Demands anything of value to which he has no legal claim as a condition for returning or otherwise restoring the property to the other person.”
Theft can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances of the crime and the value of the property at issue. If the stolen item is valued at more than $1,000, theft is charged as a felony, punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and up to 10 years in jail. For items valued at less than $1,000, theft is typically charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $750.
Regardless of the value of the items you are accused of stealing, the theft defense team at Just Criminal Law can guide you through the criminal legal system, protect your rights, and work to achieve a positive outcome in your case.
Based in Gillette, Just Criminal Law represents people throughout eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota. Led by founding attorney and former Campbell County prosecutor Christina L. Williams, we know what it takes to get results. To put our experience to work for you, contact the criminal defense team at Just Criminal Law today.
Common Wyoming Theft Charges
In Wyoming, theft is classified under the broad category of “Offenses Against Property.” Examples of Wyoming property offenses that may be charged as theft include:
- Auto theft
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Receipt of stolen property
- Shoplifting
- Stealing utility services, like cable or electricity
- Taking property under false pretenses
- Theft of services
Penalties for a Wyoming Theft Conviction
Theft can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony based on the value of the stolen property.
- If the stolen item is valued at more than $1,000, theft is charged as a felony, punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and up to 10 years in jail.
- If the stolen item is valued at less than $1,000, theft is charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $750.
- The court can also order that the offender pay restitution to the victim.
Defending Against a Wyoming Theft Charge
Just because you were charged with theft does not mean you are guilty. The defenses available will depend on your unique situation. Common defenses to theft charges include:
- Ownership – You are the rightful owner of the property that was allegedly stolen.
- False Accusations – You were wrongfully accused of theft. This situation commonly arises in connection with domestic relations proceedings where one spouse accuses the other of theft to try to gain an advantage in a divorce or child custody case.
- Intoxication – If you were intoxicated at the time of the theft, you may not have been able to form the intent necessary to commit theft.
- Lack of Intent – Even if you did commit theft, you did not have the intent to be convicted of theft.
- Entrapment – You only committed the alleged theft because a police officer asked you to.
- Flawed Valuation – This defense challenges the value of the stolen items and can be used to try to have the charges dismissed or reduce the severity of the penalties you face.
- Constitutional Violations - Illegally seized evidence cannot be presented in court. Our theft defense team will work to have evidence excluded by arguing the police violated your constitutional rights by performing an illegal search.
- Lack of Evidence - Our defense team can independently investigate the case against you to identify weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case and challenge the reliability and admissibility of the evidence the prosecutor will try to present to convict you of theft.
The theft defense team at Just Criminal Law can analyze your situation and mount a vigorous defense to minimize the severity of the penalties you face and give you the best chance of beating the charge.
Contact Just Criminal Law Today
To put our expertise to work for you, contact Just Criminal Law to schedule your personalized case review and strategy session.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is offered for educational purposes only. This information is not offered as legal advice. A person accused of a crime should always consult with an attorney before making decisions that have legal consequences.
Categories: Criminal Charges - General Questions