Wisconsin Theft Laws
In the state of Wisconsin, theft can be considered a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of the crime and the value of the item(s) stolen. Because of this, those who are accused could face extremely serious consequences that can have a negative effect on their lives and the lives of their family members, as well.
If you are facing theft charges in a court of law, the best course of action to take is to hire an experienced defense lawyer to help present your case to a judge and/or jury. If you or someone you love has been charged with theft and would like to seek legal representation, contact the Milwaukee criminal lawyers of Hart Powell, S.C. at (414) 271-9595 to discuss your legal options.
In Wisconsin, the prosecution must prove at least one of the following in a theft case:
- You intentionally took, carried away, used, transferred, concealed or retained the moveable property of another individual.
- By way of your employment, you had custody of money or another negotiable value and intentionally used, transferred, concealed, or retained possession of the particular asset.
- You obtained property of another person by way of deception or fraud.
- You failed to return personal property.
- You obtained property without consent.
- You obtained property, an object, or an asset with the intention of depriving the owner of its possession for a permanent time frame.
In this particular state, theft is only a felony if it involves property that is valued at $2,500 or more or if the act is a repeat offense. Either way, you could face potential jail time (up to 10 years) or hefty fines of up to $25,000. Because these consequences are so serious, you should not face these charges alone. An attorney can help you fight for your rights and answer any questions you may have during this process.
Contact Us
If you want to learn more about the charge against you or other Wisconsin theft laws, contact the Milwaukee criminal lawyers of Hart Powell, S.C. at (414) 271-9595 today.