Sweetwater County Theft Defense Attorneys

Felony & Misdemeanor Theft Crimes

Under Wyoming law, a person commits theft when they knowingly take, obtain, retain, or exercise control over another person’s property or services without authorization from them or by threat or deception, and they:

• intend to deprive the other person of the use or benefit of the property or services;
• knowingly use, receive, conceal, or dispose of the property or services in order to deprive another of its use or benefit; or
• demand anything of value as a condition for returning the property or services.

Crimes of theft are punishable as either misdemeanors or felonies based on the value of the property allegedly taken. Misdemeanor theft is theft of property valued at less than $1,000 and is punishable by six months in prison and $750 in fines. Some examples of misdemeanor theft include auto theft (depending on the value of the car) and obtaining property by false pretenses.

Felony theft is theft of property worth $1,000 or more and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. Examples of felony theft are carjacking, robbery, and burglary. Theft of a firearm is also typically charged as a felony.

Shoplifting Laws

Crimes of shoplifting, or the unauthorized stealing of merchandise with the intent to deprive the store owner of it, are punishable by the above misdemeanor penalties of six months in prison and $750 in fines. Examples of shoplifting include removing the security tag off merchandise or using a coated bag to conceal the stolen merchandise. 

In addition to criminal penalties, those accused of shoplifting may also be subject to civil penalties. Offenders are liable to the store owner for the full retail value of the stolen goods (if they do not return the merchandise in its original condition). They may also face a civil penalty of double the retail value of the merchandise, as well as any associated court costs and attorney’s fees tied to the civil case. 

If you have been accused of a theft crime, whether for misdemeanor theft or felony theft, do not hesitate to contact The Law Offices of Hampton & Newman, L.C. for legal support. Our experienced defense lawyers can assert your rights as a defendant and help you argue for reduced, if not dismissed, charges. Our highly experienced trial attorneys are more than capable of fighting for you in court. 

Schedule an initial consultation with The Law Offices of Hampton & Newman, L.C. to learn more.