Wisconsin Property Crime Defense Lawyers

Property crimes cover a wide range of offenses — theft, retail theft, burglary, robbery, criminal damage to property, and arson — with penalties that depend heavily on the value involved and the circumstances. Even a misdemeanor conviction creates a permanent record that can surface in background checks and stand between you and a job, buying a home, or renting an apartment.

At Strang Bradley, we defend people across Wisconsin against property crime charges of every kind. We examine the State’s proof of intent, value, and identity, and we look for the constitutional and evidentiary problems that can reduce or dismiss a case.

Property Crimes We Defend

• Theft and retail theft (shoplifting)
• Burglary and breaking and entering
• Robbery and armed robbery
• Receiving or concealing stolen property
• Criminal damage to property and graffiti
• Arson
• Trespass and related offenses

Penalties Often Turn on Value

For theft offenses in Wisconsin, the value of the property generally determines the severity:

• Lower-value thefts are typically charged as misdemeanors
• As the value rises, theft becomes a felony, up to a Class G or higher felony for the largest amounts
• Burglary is a felony regardless of value, with enhancers for weapons or occupied dwellings
• Robbery and armed robbery are serious felonies carrying significant prison exposure
• Repeat-offender and habitual-criminality enhancers can substantially increase penalties

How We Defend Property Crime Cases

• Disputing intent if applicable—for example, an honest claim of right or a genuine misunderstanding about ownership
• Challenging identification, especially from grainy surveillance footage
• Contesting the alleged value of the property to reduce a felony to a misdemeanor
• Suppressing evidence from unlawful stops, searches, or lineups
• Exposing weaknesses in loss-prevention or eyewitness accounts
• Negotiating restitution-based resolutions that avoid a conviction where possible

What to Do If You’ve Been Charged

• Do not admit to taking or damaging anything; do not sign statements at a store or police station without counsel.
• Do not consent to searches of your bags, vehicle, or phone.
• Write down what happened and who witnessed it.
• Contact a defense attorney before your first court appearance.

Why Choose Strang Bradley for Your Property Crime Case

Property crime cases often look stronger on paper than they are in court. Intent is frequently disputable, valuations are negotiable, and identifications are shaky. Our attorneys know how to find these weaknesses, protect your record, and pursue outcomes — dismissals, reductions, and diversion — that keep your future intact.