Wyoming Theft and Shoplifting Laws

If you're looking for a Wyoming online shoplifting class, it's important to know your Wyoming theft laws. This can help you understand more about your offense.

Please note that the Wyoming theft and shoplifting laws shown on this page are to aid you in understanding your state Wyoming theft, shoplifting and stealing laws. While we have tried to show the most up-to-date version of Wyoming theft laws, we do not guarantee its accuracy. This page is not a replacement for legal advice from an attorney. It is in your best interest that you consult with an appropriate lawyer for more information about Wyoming theft laws.

6 3 401. Definitions.

(a) Bailee:

A person, other than the owner, who rightfully possesses property.

(ii) Deprive:

Means to withhold someone else's property either permanently or for a very long time, essentially taking away a significant part of its value. It also includes disposing of the property in a way that makes it unlikely for the owner to get it back.

(iii) This article:

Refers to Wyoming Statutes sections 6-3-401 through 6-3-411.

6 3 402. Larceny; livestock rustling; theft of fuel; penalties.

In Section 6-3-402, larceny, which involves taking someone else's property with the intent to permanently keep it, is outlined. This includes situations where a person entrusted with the care of money or property uses it for themselves with the intent to steal. Penalties for larceny vary: it's considered a felony if the stolen property's value is $1,000 or more, punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, or both. For values less than $1,000, it's a misdemeanor, with penalties of up to 6 months in jail or a fine of up to $750, or both. The section also covers livestock rustling, treating the theft of certain animals as a felony with similar penalties. Additionally, the unauthorized taking of motor vehicle fuel is considered larceny, with first convictions leading to fines or imprisonment of up to 6 months. Subsequent convictions may result in higher fines, imprisonment, and potential driver's license suspension.

6 3 403. Wrongful taking or disposing of property; venue of indictment.

If a person buys, receives, conceals, or disposes of property they know or reasonably believe was obtained unlawfully, they can face felony charges if the property's value is $1,000 or more, leading to imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. For property valued under $1,000, it's considered a misdemeanor with penalties of up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $750, or both. The indictment can occur in the county where the person received or possessed the property, even if the wrongful taking happened elsewhere.

6 3 404. Shoplifting; altering or removing price tags and markers; penalties.

If someone willfully conceals or takes possession of property offered for sale without consent and with the intent to convert it for personal use without paying, it's a felony for property valued at $1,000 or more. The penalties include imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. For property valued under $1,000, it's a misdemeanor with potential penalties of up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $750, or both. Altering or removing price tags with the intent to pay less than the marked price follows similar felony and misdemeanor distinctions based on the amount involved.

6-3-405. Reasonable detention and interrogation of persons suspected of shoplifting or altering price tag; defense in civil or criminal action.

A peace officer, merchant, or merchant's employee with reasonable cause to believe a person is violating Section 6-3-404 can detain and interrogate them reasonably and for a reasonable time. In civil or criminal actions related to such detentions, it serves as a defense if the detention and interrogation were conducted reasonably based on reasonable cause.

6 3 406. Defrauding an innkeeper; penalties; definitions.

If someone intentionally gets food, drink, or accommodations at a public place without paying according to their agreement with the establishment, it's considered an offense. For amounts valued at $1,000 or more, it's a felony, leading to imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. If the value is less than $1,000, it becomes a misdemeanor with potential penalties of up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $750, or both. The term "agreement with a public establishment" refers to a mutual understanding, either written or verbal, about the price for and acceptance of services, where the pricing is available through a menu or rate schedule. "Public establishment" includes various businesses offering food, beverages, or accommodations to the public, such as restaurants, hotels, motels, and others.

6 3 407. Obtaining property by false pretenses;

If someone knowingly acquires property from another person through deceptive means with the intent to defraud, it constitutes an offense. For property valued at $1,000 or more, it's a felony with potential penalties of up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. If the property's value is less than $1,000, the offense is considered a misdemeanor, carrying potential penalties of up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $750, or both.

6 3 408. Theft of services; penalties.

This section talks about the theft of services, which means getting services without paying for them with the intent to deceive. If the value of the services is over $1,000, it's considered a felony with a maximum punishment of ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If the value is less than $1,000, it's a misdemeanor with a maximum of six months in jail and a $750 fine. It also covers tampering with cables or devices used for service distribution and the creation or sale of devices meant to help commit service theft.

6-3-409. Fraudulently obtaining telecommunications services deemed misdemeanor.

If someone intentionally tries to cheat or help someone else cheat by getting telecommunications services without proper authorization, it's considered a misdemeanor. This includes charging services to unauthorized accounts, using false information, manipulating equipment, or using any deceptive means. The maximum penalty is six months in jail and a $750 fine.

6-3-410. Value of property may be aggregated in certain cases.

This section explains that when someone commits theft-related offenses as part of a common plan or during the same incident, the value of the stolen property can be combined to determine the overall value, regardless of whether the items were taken from the same person or different people.

6 3 411. Unlawful use of theft detection shielding devices; penalty.

This section it outlines various offenses related to the unlawful use of theft detection shielding devices. This includes making, selling, or distributing bags or devices designed to shield merchandise from electronic or magnetic theft alarms. Additionally, possessing such shielding devices with the intent to commit theft, possessing tools to remove theft detection devices without permission, and intentionally removing these devices from products prior to purchase are all considered offenses. The penalties for these offenses are categorized as misdemeanors, carrying a maximum punishment of six months in jail, a fine of up to $750, or both.

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