Theft and property crime charges in Idaho Falls can range from a shoplifting misdemeanor to a felony grand theft that carries prison time. You may be accused of taking something from a store, from an employer, from a vehicle, or from someone's home. The value of the property and the way the alleged theft happened determine the charge.
A property crime on your record can affect employment, housing, and professional licenses. If you have prior convictions, a new theft charge can escalate quickly. You need to know what the state can actually prove and what your options are in Bonneville County court.
Browning Law defends theft and property crime cases in Idaho Falls and across Eastern Idaho. In 2022, felony grand theft charges were dismissed. In 2020, Allen Browning secured a unanimous acquittal on felony grand theft. With 114+ jury trials and 40+ years in Idaho courts, the firm brings real trial experience to property crime cases.
Call (208) 542-2700 for a free consultation. See our criminal defense practice area, Idaho Falls criminal defense attorney page, or contact us online.
Why theft charges are different
Theft cases are not all the same. Petit theft, grand theft, burglary, robbery, and receiving stolen property each have different elements and different penalties. The state must prove you took property belonging to another person, that you intended to deprive them of it, and that the value or circumstances meet the charge level.
Property crime cases often depend on surveillance video, witness identification, and value calculations. A dollar amount can change a misdemeanor into a felony. How the property value is calculated and whether the right charge was filed are both defense issues.
Retail theft cases may involve store security, citizen's arrest procedures, and questions about whether proper protocols were followed. Workplace theft cases may involve access logs, inventory records, and employer investigations that need independent review.
How Browning Law helps
We review how you were identified, how property value was determined, and whether the charge matches the alleged conduct. We file motions when evidence was obtained illegally or when identification is unreliable.
We investigate alternative explanations: permission to take property, ownership disputes, accounting errors, and mistaken identity. Not every theft accusation holds up under scrutiny.
When the state will not dismiss or reduce charges fairly, Browning Law is prepared for trial. The 2022 grand theft dismissal and 2020 unanimous acquittal on felony grand theft show what thorough defense work can accomplish.
David Brown's experience as a deputy prosecutor and deputy public defender in Bonneville, Jefferson, and Teton Counties gives the team insight into how property crimes are charged and negotiated locally.
Fees are affordable, transparent, and often flat-fee. Free initial consultation. Theft defense is not on contingency.
Common theft and property crimes in Idaho Falls
Property crime cases in Idaho Falls and Bonneville County commonly include:
- Shoplifting and retail theft from stores along major shopping corridors
- Grand theft when property value exceeds Idaho's felony threshold
- Petit theft for lower-value property
- Burglary charges involving entry into a building or structure
- Theft from employers, including inventory and equipment
- Receiving stolen property
- Auto theft and theft from vehicles
Repeat theft offenses can be charged as felonies even when the property value alone would make the charge a misdemeanor. Your criminal history matters.
What you may be facing
Idaho distinguishes between petit theft (generally a misdemeanor) and grand theft (generally a felony) based on the value of the property taken. Misdemeanors generally carry up to one year in county jail. Felonies can carry prison sentences.
Burglary is a felony in Idaho regardless of the value of property taken, because it involves unlawful entry with intent to commit a crime. Robbery, which involves force or threat, carries more severe penalties than simple theft.
Restitution to the victim is commonly ordered in property crime cases. You may be required to pay back the value of what was taken.
No attorney can guarantee a dismissal or a specific sentence. We can explain what the charge means and what defenses may apply.
Idaho law and your rights
Under Idaho Code, theft requires intent to deprive the owner of property. Accidentally taking something or believing you had permission can be a defense if the facts support it.
You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Do not explain yourself to store security or police without a lawyer. Statements made trying to clear things up are often used against you.
You have the right to challenge the evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and require the state to prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt.
What to do if charged or arrested
- Do not admit to taking anything. Ask for an attorney.
- Do not return to the store or location if you are trespassed or ordered to stay away.
- Save any receipts, texts, or documents that show ownership or permission.
- Call Browning Law at (208) 542-2700.
- Do not discuss the case with coworkers, friends, or on social media.
The sooner we review the evidence, the sooner we can evaluate whether the charge fits the facts.
Why trial experience matters
Property crime cases often come down to identification and value. Surveillance video is not always clear. Witnesses make mistakes. Value calculations can be wrong.
Allen Browning has tried 114+ jury cases in Idaho, including a unanimous acquittal on felony grand theft in 2020. When the state's evidence is weak, Browning Law will take the case to trial rather than accept a felony conviction on bad facts.