Idaho Theft Crimes | Grand Theft | Petit Theft

If you have been charged with a theft crime in Idaho, let Schofield and Young fight for you. We are experienced criminal defense attorneys who work hard for our clients.

Idaho Theft Crimes

A person commits theft when: "with intent to deprive another of property or to appropriate the same to himself or to a third person, he wrongfully takes, obtains, or withholds such property from the owner." This definition is provided in Idaho Code §18-2403 but there are many different types of offenses that classify as "Theft Crimes" in Idaho.

Common Idaho Theft Offenses:

Idaho Petty Theft (or "Petit Theft")

Under Idaho Code §18-2407, Petty Theft or "Petit Theft" is the stealing of property valued under $1000. Petty Theft is a misdemeanor in Idaho and can carry a sentence of up to $1000 in fines and up to one year in jail (See: Idaho Code §18-2408). Petty Theft is also considered a crime of "moral turpitude" which means the real world penalties for a conviction can extend far beyond anything ordered by the court.

Idaho Grand Theft

Under Idaho Code §18-2407, there are several ways someone can be guilty of Grand Theft in Idaho:

• The most common is the stealing of property valued over $1000.
• The theft of a firearm.
• Theft by a public servant engaging in their duties.
• Theft of a public record.
• Theft of a check, money order, credit card, or bank card.
• Theft of property of any value through physical force.
• Theft of property of any value through extortion.
• Theft of livestock.
• A series of thefts that when added together exceed a value of $1000.

All Idaho Grand Theft charges are felonies and can lead to severe penalties. Under Idaho Code §18-2408 Grand Theft is punishable by a fine of $5000 and up to 14 years in the state penitentiary. Robbery

Idaho Shoplifting

Under Idaho Code § 18-4624, it is a crime to alter or remove tags from merchandise at a store for the purpose of purchasing the property at a lower price or attempting to steal the property.

Idaho Willful Concealment 

Under Idaho Code §18-4626, it is a crime to conceal goods without the permission of the store or merchant. This is very similar to shoplifting.

Burglary 

Under Idaho Code §18-1401, it is a felony to enter any property (home, store, etc.) with the intent to commit a theft or any felony therein. Burglary is a felony, and under Idaho Code §18-1403, is punishable by a minimum of 1 year and up to 10 years in prison!Idaho Shoplifting

Idaho Commercial Burglary

This is a misdemeanor version of the Burglary statute. It involves entering a business with the intent to commit a theft of $300 or less.

Robbery

Under Idaho Code §18-6501, it is a felony to take the personal property of another, against their will, through the use or threat of physical force. Robbery is a felony and carries severe punishments of a minimum five years and up to life in prison!

Other Theft Offenses

• Writing Bad Checks, under Idaho Code §18-3106, it is a felony to write a check while knowing that the account attached to that check does not contain sufficient funds.
• Possessing/receiving stolen property, under Idaho Code §18-3127, it is a felony to be in possession of property that you know to be stolen.
• Embezzlement is when a person wrongfully steals or misappropriates property entrusted to him by the rightful owner.
• Fraud is a deliberate deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain, or to deprive a victim of a legal right. There are many different types of fraud but in most cases the purpose of fraud is monetary gain or financial benefits.
• Forgery, in layman's terms, a forgery is committed when:
  • A person, with the intent to defraud another, makes or alters a document; OR
  • A person, with the intent to defraud another, makes or alters a document; OR
  • A person, knowing they are false, attempts to pass off altered, forged, or counterfeited documents as genuine.

Hire An Experienced Idaho Criminal Attorney 

Theft Crimes in Idaho are Serious 

A conviction for a theft crime can carry serious short and long term consequences affecting your freedom, employment, personal relationships, and reputation. On top of any punishment the court hands down, a conviction can be particularly harmful in terms of gaining future  employment. The conviction will still surface on background checks and employers tend to pass on applicants with theft records, fearing them to be dishonest and having the potential to steal from their companies. Additionally theft offenses are considered "crimes of moral turpitude." This means that licensing bodies may use this as a reason to deny licenses and certifications, such as a contractors license, a nursing license, or a real estate license.

Do not let a theft conviction follow you around for the rest of your life.

Many of those people charged are good, productive members of society. Some have been wrongfully accused while others have simply made an unfortunate mistake. Either way, you need a criminal defense attorney who will protect your future, your reputation, and your freedom.

If you have been charged with an Idaho theft offense, it is important that you understand the charges against you and what your legal rights are. Idaho's theft laws can be complex and severe. You should not try to take on the criminal justice system on your own. Let us help you.