Larceny: The Most Common Crime In Utah

The most common crime in the state of Utah is also the most common crime in the United States — larceny, which is simply another word for “theft.” 

According to Pew Research Center, the U.S. experienced 1,401.9 cases per 100,000 people in 2022. That is a lot of cases. If we were to assume that every single one of them were committed by a different person, that would be about 1.4% of the population. 

Interestingly, Utah’s numbers are similar. There were roughly 36,000 cases in 2023. That translates to about 1,090.91 cases per 100,000 people. Even if you have never committed larceny, you probably know someone who either has or has been a victim of it at some point in their life.

Different Types of Theft

When you think about theft, you might imagine a guy wearing a ski mask who goes into a bank and causes a scene. In Utah, that is called robbery, and it accounts for a very small amount of total thefts. Here are some other types:

• Shoplifting - this is one of the most common types of larceny. In 2023, there were over 12,000 instances in Utah.
• Motor vehicle theft - while this isn’t nearly as prevalent as shoplifting, it’s still pretty common at just over 5,000 instances in 2023.
• Theft by deception or extortion - these are both specifically mentioned in Utah law. Their definition is fairly self-evident. You could be found guilty for these crimes by deceiving someone to obtain their property or extorting (which means you threatened them).
• Theft of services - this is one you probably don’t think about in conversations about theft. It is when someone provides a service to you, but you avoid payment. It could also be when you obtain a service — like riding public transportation for example — and use it for your own benefit without actually being a paying customer.
• Theft of motor vehicle fuel - you might not see this kind of theft very often, but it is specifically mentioned in Utah law. Essentially, it’s when you steal a car or a container from a gas station after it has been filled up. This would likely be an extra charge that would be added on top of motor vehicle theft.

Punishments for Theft

Despite the fact that there are a variety of ways you can commit larceny, the punishments are pretty universal. In Utah, the severity of the crime depends on how much money the property that you stole was worth.

• For $5,000 or more, you can face a second-degree felony. This means one to fifteen years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• For $1,500 to $5,000, it is a third-degree felony. This can land you in prison for zero to five years with a fine of up to $5,000.
• For $500 to $1,500, it is a class A misdemeanor, which means up to 364 days in jail and up to $2,500 in fines.
• For less than $500, it is a class B misdemeanor. You can do jail time for up to six months and a fine of up to $1,000.

Punishment for Robbery

If the crime is robbery or aggravated robbery, it doesn’t matter how much money the property is worth, you will face prison time. According to Utah law, robbery is when you use force or fear to take property away from someone. Aggravated robbery is when you either use a weapon, seriously injure the other person, or try to take a motor vehicle. 

Robbery is a second-degree felony. Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony — five years to life in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

It’s worth noting that if you commit robbery, you will likely be charged with robbery and theft, according to the value of the property. Those charges can translate into even more time that you would face behind bars.

What to Do if You’re Accused of Larceny

If you are ever charged with theft of any kind, the first thing you need to do is exercise your right to remain silent. Whatever you say to police can be used against you in your case. Instead, you need to hire a lawyer. You need someone by your side who can help you communicate what you need to say and keep you from saying anything that would hurt you in the long run.

The best lawyers are the ones who have deep experience with hundreds, even thousands, of cases behind them, which is exactly what you’ll find at Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat. Our attorneys have more than 100 collective years of experience. They’ve seen how scenarios play out in numerous ways, and they would be happy to help you.

Call (801) 532-5297 for a consultation or fill out our case evaluation form online.