Dain Smoland, Attorney at Law PLLC
Criminal Defense in Utah
Dain Smoland, Attorney at Law PLLC
Navigation
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • PRACTICE AREAS
    • MARIJUANA CRIMES
      • DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
      • POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
      • POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE
    • CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUITS
    • DRUG CRIMES
    • DUI
      • Alcohol DUI
      • Metabolite DUI
    • JUSTICE COURT
    • OUT-OF-STATE CLIENTS
    • TRAFFIC CRIMES
      • Metabolite DUI
      • Alcohol DUI
      • Reckless Driving
      • Alcohol Restricted Driver Charges
      • DL Hearings
    • THEFT CRIMES
    • ALCOHOL CRIMES
      • Intoxication
      • Minor in Possession
      • Open Container
    • ASSAULT CRIMES
    • TRESPASSING CRIMES
    • EXPUNGEMENTS
    • MISDEMEANORS
    • FORFEITURE
    • 402 REDUCTIONS
  • MARIJUANA
    • POSSESSION
    • PARAPHERNALIA
    • INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE
  • FAQs
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • CONTACT

THEFT CRIMES

Different Theft Charges

“Theft” can describe many different specific types of crime.  In Utah, each of the following has it’s own criminal statute:

  • Simple Theft
  • Wrongful Appropriation
  • Theft of Motor Vehicle Fuel
  • Theft by Deception
  • Theft by Extortion
  • Theft of Lost, Mislaid, or Mistakenly Delivered Property
  • Theft of Services
  • Theft of Utility or Cable Services
  • Theft of a Rental Vehicle

How Serious is a Theft Charge

In general, the seriousness of a theft crime depends on the value of what was taken and prior convictions. When based on value alone (no priors), it goes like this:

  • $500 or less: Misdemeanor B
  • $500-$1,500: Misdemeanor A
  • $1,500-$5,000: 3rd Degree Felony
  • $5,000 or more: 2nd Degree Felony

Note: For Theft by Appropriation, the seriousness is one level below whatever the table above shows.

There are some odd rules hidden within the Utah theft statutes, most likely resulting from particular business interests that have some clout in the legislature for whatever reason.  For instance, taking a “stallion, mare, colt, gelding, cow, heifer, steer, ox, bull, calf, sheep, goat, mule, jack, jenny, swine, poultry, or a fur-bearing animal raised for commercial purposes” will get you charged with a second-degree felony, even if that swine is only worth $50.

Theft as a Crime of “Moral Turpitude”

Whatever Theft crime you’re been charged with, you should be aware that even a misdemeanor theft conviction on your record can have some serious consequences for your future.  Unlike a misdemeanor traffic offense or minor-in-possession, a theft crime is typically considered a “crime of moral turpitude.” In other words, it is often considered evidence of dishonest behavior which might effect future career prospects and state licensing.

Theft Defense Attorney for Salt Lake City or Elsewhere in Utah

A good defense attorney can help you get the best result possible in your case and avoid some of the serious collateral consequences of a theft charge.  Contact me for a free consultation about your situation.

Related Blog Posts:

  • Shoplifting and the Consequences–Good People do Dumb Things Sometimes

 

About My Firm

Picture not loaded

Marijuana Crimes

Image not uploaded

Expungements

image not loaded

Alcohol Crimes

image not loaded

Traffic Crimes

image not uploaded

Theft Crimes

image not loaded

Assault Crimes

image not loaded

Local Court Info

Image not uploaded

Rates

Image Not Loaded

Quick Contact Form

Note: Submitting this form doesn't make me your lawyer or obligate you to pay me anything. It's just an easy way to get in touch.
Recognition for Dain Smoland's NORML Membership

Some Posts from My Blog

  • Utah Legislature Temporarily Suspends Expungement Filing Fees!
  • Parolees Become Eligible for 402 Reductions in Utah
  • Utah’s “Clean Slate” Law, and Automatic Expungements
  • Utah Legalizes Medical Marijuana! Kinda! Sort Of!
  • Utah Eases Expungement Eligibility, Especially for Prior Drug Convictions!

Courts Where I Take Cases

I am licensed to practice criminal law anywhere in Utah, but my office is in Salt Lake City so I focus my defense practice on Salt Lake County and the surrounding counties: Weber, Davis, Utah, Summit, Wasatch, Tooele.

That includes any of the state, city, or federal courts located in Salt Lake City, West Jordan, South Jordan, West Valley, Heber, Park City, Provo, Ogden, Farmington, Bountiful, Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, Murray, Millcreek, South Salt Lake, Grantsville, Tooele, Orem, American Fork, Sandy, Draper, Centerville, Layton, Kaysville, and anywhere else within an hour's drive of Salt Lake. I'll also go down to Carbon County (Price and Helper), because I like that drive!

For locations in Utah outside that area, just contact me and we'll talk about it.

Categories of my blog posts

  • 402 Reductions
  • Constitutional Law
    • Fifth Amendment
    • Search and Seizure
  • Drug Laws
    • Marijuana Laws
  • Expungement Law
  • Interesting Legal News
  • Theft Laws
    • Shoplifting
  • Traffic Laws
    • Driver's License Laws
    • DUI Laws
  • Uncategorized

© 2023 Dain Smoland, Attorney at Law PLLC, a Salt Lake City Criminal Defense Attorney