SHEBOYGAN THEFT AND FRAUD ATTORNEYS

In Wisconsin, theft and property damage crimes encompass a wide range of offenses, including burglary, fraud, and arson- ranging from stealing a television to setting a large building on fire.

Charges and penalties often hinge on the total value of stolen items and whether the accused was armed during the crime. The skilled burglary defense attorneys at Birdsall Muller have managed a wide range of cases related to various forms of theft and property offenses crimes. If you've been arrested, you need the best criminal lawyers in Sheboygan. Please contact our Madison criminal defense lawyers for a free consultation so we can help you navigate the broad range of theft and property crime charges.

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

Prosecutors have the discretion to total the value of all goods and charge the maximum felony available or separate the items to charge multiple misdemeanors. A theft charge can have severe consequences for your future employment or licensing goals. Employers often view those with convictions for offenses involving “crimes of moral turpitude " very unfavorably. Both companies and public employers typically have policies excluding felons or generally do not trust individuals with a history of theft. This is especially true if the crime involves multiple offenses or is of a prolonged nature. Certain state and federal licenses, such as the license to practice law or to be a securities broker, may be unattainable or more difficult to secure with a theft conviction, whether 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

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

Call Birdsall Muller.

Attorneys John A. Birdsall and Nicole A. Muller are Sheboygan criminal attorneys who have won countless cases over the past decades. Their unparalleled aggressive defense strategy has positioned them among the top criminal defense lawyers in Sheboygan.

In Sheboygan, our theft crime defense attorneys specialize in addressing and contesting unlawful police conduct, including improper search techniques and other violations. If we find that your constitutional rights have been violated, your case may be dismissed.