Washington County Shoplifting Lawyer

Under Utah law, shoplifting is known as retail theft and can be charged as a class B misdemeanor or a second-degree felony, depending on the amount of goods stolen. If the item stolen was less than $300, then the defendant is facing a class B misdemeanor that could carry penalties of up to $1000 fine and three months in jail. If the stolen item was more than $300, then the charge is a second-degree felony, which could involve some much more serious jail time. In addition to the jail time and fines that could be imposed, most retail theft cases that end in a conviction will include restitution to the victim of the crime. Meaning that the value of the item must be returned to the store or person you stole from.

Shoplifting Crimes | Civil Cases

In the past, most shoplifting cases ended with a criminal case; today, however, more and more businesses are pursuing civil damages against anyone who has been charged with shoplifting at their business. If your criminal case ends in a conviction, then that ruling leaves the door open for civil liability, and the company or person you stole from can bring charges against you, asking for 10 to 20 times the amount of the goods stolen in damages. With this added punishment, if you will, it becomes more important to aggressively defend shoplifting charges.

Misdemeanor And Felony Shoplifting In Utah

Understanding the different levels of shoplifting charges in Utah helps defendants and their families develop appropriate defense strategies. Utah law categorizes retail theft offenses based on the monetary value of stolen merchandise, with penalties escalating significantly as the dollar amount increases.

The classification system ranges from misdemeanor charges for lower-value items to serious felony charges that can result in years of imprisonment:

• Class B Misdemeanor: This includes merchandise valued under $500 with maximum penalties of six months jail time and $1,000 in fines. Beyond incarceration and monetary penalties, defendants may face probation requirements, community service obligations and mandatory theft education programs. Common examples include theft of clothing items, small electronics, cosmetics or personal accessories from retail establishments.
• Class A Misdemeanor: This covers stolen goods valued between $500 and $1,499 with potential consequences reaching one year imprisonment and $2,500 fines. Convictions at this level often result in longer probation periods, increased restitution amounts and potential employment background check issues. Typical cases involve theft of smartphones, expensive clothing, small appliances or multiple lower-value items that accumulate to this threshold.
• Third-degree Felony: This involves items worth $1,500 to $4,999 with serious penalties, including up to five years prison and $5,000 fines. Felony convictions create permanent criminal records that affect housing applications, professional licensing and voting rights. Examples include high-end electronics, jewelry, power tools or organized theft involving multiple expensive merchandise items.
• Second-degree Felony: This encompasses merchandise valued at $5,000 or higher with severe consequences ranging from one to 15 years imprisonment and $10,000 fines. These cases often involve sophisticated theft operations, stolen vehicles or large-scale retail fraud schemes that prosecutors pursue aggressively.

Even first-time offenders face significant consequences, making experienced legal representation crucial for protecting your future.

Courts also consider aggravating factors such as prior criminal history, use of tools or devices to facilitate theft, and involvement of multiple defendants when determining final sentences. The monetary thresholds may seem straightforward, but prosecutors often add up multiple items or include additional charges that can push cases into higher penalty categories.

Your Shoplifting Defense Lawyer

If you are facing criminal charges of shoplifting or have been sued in civil court for shoplifting, then call the attorneys at Salcido Law Firm. Our lawyers are experienced in shoplifting defense, and we know how to protect you and your rights. We have been successful in defending against civil shoplifting suits and we are familiar with the criminal court systems and can help you defend yourself against these charges. Call us at 435-922-3277 or email us today to set up a free consultation.