BELOIT THEFT AND FRAUD ATTORNEYS

In Wisconsin, theft and property crimes cover a broad spectrum — from shoplifting a single item to armed robbery, burglary, or arson that causes thousands of dollars in damage. These aren't charges to take lightly. The penalties can be severe, and a conviction follows you long after you've served any sentence.

What you're facing — and what you stand to lose — often depends on the value of what's alleged to have been taken, whether a weapon was involved, and how the prosecutor decides to charge the case. The criminal defense attorneys at Birdsall Muller have spent decades handling theft, robbery, burglary, and fraud cases throughout Wisconsin. If you've been arrested or are under investigation, having our Beloit legal team in your corner from the start makes a real difference.

Contact our Beloit criminal defense lawyers for a free consultation so we can help you understand exactly what you're up against and how we plan to fight it.

Wisconsin statutes 943.20 (1)(a) states:

Whoever intentionally takes and carries away, uses, transfers, conceals, or retains possession of movable property of another without the other's consent and with intent to deprive the owner permanently of possession of such property.

The State must prove 4 elements:

1. That you intentionally took and carried away movable property of another (The term “intentionally” means that you must have had the “mental purpose” to take and carry away property)
2. That owner of the property did not consent to taking and carrying away the property
3. That you knew that the owner did not consent
4. That you intended to deprive the owner permanently of the possession of the property

A common defense against this accusation is that the defendant did not intend to “take and carry away” the item. This argument often appears in shoplifting cases where the item is inside a shopping bag, with the person claiming they planned to pay for it but simply forgot. Another frequent defense is the claim that someone intended to borrow the item, implying there was no intention to “permanently deprive” the owner of their property.

Prosecutors can choose to sum up the value of all items and charge the highest-level felony, or to break them into separate charges for multiple misdemeanors. A theft conviction can seriously impact your future employment or licensing prospects. Employers often evaluate those with convictions for offenses involving “crimes of moral turpitude" very unfavorably. Both private and public employers usually have policies that exclude felons or generally mistrust individuals with a theft history. This is especially true if the crime involved multiple offenses or was sustained over a period. Certain state and federal licenses, like those for practicing law or becoming a securities broker, may be difficult to obtain or completely out of reach after a theft conviction, whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony.

Wisconsin penalties for Theft:
Under $2,500: 9 months maximum (misdemeanor)
$2,500 to $5,000: 18 months (felony)
$5,000 to $10,000: 3 years (felony)
$10,000 or greater: 5 years

Theft is a 5 year felony if the item taken is an animal, obtained by looting, is a firearm, or is taken from an elderly or mentally disabled “vulnerable” person, regardless of the item’s value

Robbery is theft taken a step further; it involves taking property from another person by force or threat of force. Under Wisconsin law, that distinction puts the charge in a different category, with penalties that reflect how seriously the courts treat it.

A standard robbery charge carries up to 40 years in prison. If a weapon was used or displayed, even if it was not fired, the charge becomes armed robbery and the consequences escalate. Prosecutors treat these cases aggressively, and evidence can move fast. Witness identifications, surveillance footage, and physical evidence all become part of the case quickly.

If your rights were violated at any point — during a stop, an arrest, or an interrogation — that can change the direction of your case entirely. Contact Birdsall Muller today if you've been charged with robbery in Beloit.

Burglary in Wisconsin doesn't require that anything actually be stolen. Under state law, entering a building with the intent to commit a felony or theft inside is enough to face charges. That means the allegation alone — that you meant to steal — can result in a felony on your record.

Penalties for burglary depend on the circumstances. Breaking into a home carries steeper penalties than breaking into a commercial building, and the presence of a weapon or the use of force can elevate the charge further. Sentences can range from several years to decades, depending on how the case is charged.

These cases often hinge on intent, identification, and how law enforcement gathered their evidence. We look closely at all of it — from how a search was conducted to whether any witness accounts are reliable. If there are weaknesses in the State's case, we find them. This is why it's imperative that you hire an experienced Beloit burglary lawyer at Birdsall Muller, LLC.

Contact the best Beloit theft of property and fraud defense lawyers.

Call Birdsall Muller.

Attorneys John A. Birdsall and Nicole A. Muller are Beloit criminal attorneys who have won countless cases over the past decades. Their unsurpassed aggressive defense strategy has placed them among the best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Beloit.

Our firm is simply the best theft and fraud defense law firm Wisconsin has to offer. Contact our Beloit Criminal Attorneys at Birdsall Muller.