The Common Crime of Theft in Utah Valley
Most people are familiar with shoplifting. Shoplifting is one of the most common crimes that occurs in the Utah Valley area. Provo-Orem criminal defense attorneys frequently receive call from individuals who have been charged with shoplifting. Often times those calling are first time offenders who have no criminal history. Similar to shoplifting charges, individuals in the Utah Valley area are charged with theft of services. Provo-Orem criminal defense attorneys frequently handle theft of services charges.
Service Theft – A Different Kind of Shoplifting
Utah Code § 76-6-409 describes the crime of theft of services. It states someone is guilty of the offense when a person “obtains services which he knows are available only for compensation by deception, threat, force, or any other means designed to avoid the due payment for them.” An individual can also commit theft of services if “having control over the disposition of services of another, to which he knows he is not entitled, he diverts the services to his own benefit or to the benefit of another who he knows is not entitled to them.”
The types of services covered by this statute include, but are not limited to, “labor, professional service, public utility and transportation services, restaurant, hotel, motel, tourist cabin, roaming house, and like accommodations.” It also includes things like sporting events. Essentially, a theft of services charge seeks to cover intangible services of value. For example, when someone rides a UTA bus, trax, or frontrunner without paying, that person commits theft of services. The public transportation ride was not a tangible item but it was a service from which the person obtained value. Provo-Orem criminal defense attorneys can help those charged with this crime.
Protect Yourself with a Theft Lawyer
If you are charged with theft of services, contact a Provo-Orem area theft attorney from Criminal Defense Provo. The criminal defense lawyers at Criminal Defense Provo are knowledgeable and will help you resolve your theft charges. Lawyers are available to speak with you so call a Criminal Defense Provo lawyer for a consultation today. A lawyer can be reached at 801.800.8246.
