How Wyoming Classifies Theft by Value
According to Wyo. Stat. § 6-3-402 says that in Wyoming, theft is based on how much the stolen property is worth. Stealing something worth less than $1,000 is a misdemeanor. Stealing something worth between $1,000 and $5,000 is a more serious crime. Theft that is worth more than a certain amount, usually more than $1,000, or a larger amount, is a felony. The level of the charge depends on the facts, the prosecutor’s decision to charge, and how the value of the property is determined.
It isn’t always easy to figure out how much a piece of property is worth. The prosecution’s definition of the value is not final. We look at how the value was determined, if comparable sales data backs it up, and if depreciation was properly taken into account. If the value is close to a threshold, arguing about it can make the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony.
Felony Theft Consequences in Wyoming
Felony theft in Wyoming carries up to ten years in state prison. A conviction means more than just going to jail. It also means having a permanent felony record, losing your right to own a gun, and making it much harder to get a job, find a place to live, or get a professional license. In addition to any criminal sentence, courts often order restitution, which means that the defendant has to pay back the value of the property even if they have to pay fines or go to jail.
How We Defend High-value Theft Cases in Wyoming
High-value theft defenses focus on: intent (did you take the property with the intention of permanently depriving the owner of it?), valuation (is the prosecution’s property value correct?), ownership (was the property really the victim’s?), and whether consent or a legitimate claim of right applies. We also look at how the investigation was done and whether any evidence was found that violated your constitutional rights.
Penalty Grid
| Felony Theft | Restitution | Record | Gun Rights |
| Up to 10 years | Full value of property | Permanent Felony | Federal Prohibition |
Related Charges We Also Defend
Why Clients in Wyoming and South Dakota Choose Just Criminal Law
Our attorneys spent years working for the state before switching sides. We know exactly how prosecutors build cases and exactly where to find the holes.
We do not split our focus between practice areas. Every attorney, every resource, every minute is focused on one thing: your criminal defense.
We know the courts, the judges, and the prosecutors across Wyoming and western South Dakota. Local familiarity shapes strategy and strategy shapes outcomes.
Servicios de traduccion en espanol disponibles. Every client fully understands their case, their options, and their rights.
Real Results for Wyoming & South Dakota Clients
-
OtherSuppression Appeal — Wyoming Supreme CourtDistrict Court denied motion to suppress. Wyoming Supreme Court accepted certiorari on appeal.
Barney v. State of Wyoming — Wyoming Supreme Court
-
CASE DISMISSEDReckless Endangering / Domestic Battery / Child Endangering — Wyoming
Client charged with reckless endangering, domestic battery, and child endangering. All charges dismissed.
State v. Quezada-Lopez — Wyoming Circuit Court
-
CASE DISMISSEDDUI / DWUI — Wyoming
Client charged with DUI. State unable to lay foundation for the breath test. Case dismissed.
State v. Von Olnhausen — Wyoming Circuit Court
-
CASE DISMISSEDFelony Child Abuse — Wyoming
Client charged with accessory after the fact and aggravated child abuse — a felony. State unable to meet its burden of proof at preliminary hearing. Felony count dismissed.
State v. Bullinger — Wyoming District Court
Charged with a crime in Wyoming? Time is critical.
The sooner you have an attorney, the more options you have.
What Clients Say About Just Criminal Law
Frequently asked questions about grand theft in Wyoming
Wyoming Criminal Defense — Communities We Serve
We are based in Gillette, Wyoming, and serve clients across the state and into western South Dakota. Our team knows the local courts, prosecutors, and judges in every community we serve — and that local knowledge makes a real difference in criminal defense.
- Deadwood
- Sturgis (Rally)
- Custer County
- Lawrence County
- Meade County
- Pennington County
We provide on-call criminal defense for Rally-related arrests including DUI, drug charges, weapons offenses, and assault. Call us 24/7 during Rally week.
