Theft & Burglary Defense in Utah
A criminal accusation involving someone else’s property can follow you far longer than a fine or short jail stay. A single conviction for shoplifting, check fraud, or burglary can block employment, housing, and professional licensing. Morrise Thompson Foresta Legal moves quickly to limit that damage—often before charges are even filed.
Why Property-Crime Clients Hire Us
Local credibility. Judges and prosecutors know our record of aggressive—but ethical—defense under Utah Code §§ 76-6-404 (theft) and 76-6-202 (burglary).
Evidence first. We subpoena surveillance footage, point-of-sale records, and location data before it disappears, exposing mistaken identity and sloppy store-security procedures.
Restitution leverage. When repayment can close the case or reduce a felony to a misdemeanor, we negotiate structured restitution plans that protect both your finances and your record.
Digital-forensics edge. Our in-house analysts recover deleted texts, GPS logs, or metadata that prove permission, ownership, or lack of intent.
Flat-fee clarity. Up-front pricing lets you concentrate on your defense, not your bill.
Our Step-by-Step Defense Approach
Rapid Case Assessment – Within 24 hours, we review the police report and any warrants to spot constitutional flaws in the stop, search, or seizure.
Independent Investigation – We interview witnesses, secure video, and bring in forensic accountants when complex financial records are involved.
Motion Practice – We challenge unlawful searches, improper lineups, and unreliable “loss-prevention” tactics—often excluding the prosecution’s key evidence.
Negotiation or Trial – Where the facts allow, we push for dismissal or diversion. When the state won’t back down, we present a clear narrative of misunderstanding, lack of intent, or factual innocence to the jury.
Theft and Burglary - FAQs
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Do I really need an attorney?
When you are charged with a crime, the government has extensive resources all directed at reaching the outcome it wants, and usually that means obtaining as many convictions, the highest fines, and the longest incarcerations as it can reasonably get. Knowledge of law, the legal rules, and a quality investigation are the resources you need to stand up against the government. That is what good lawyers can do for you.
What happens next?
You’ve been charged with a crime, now what? Depending upon the level of the offense there are different processes for taking a case forward. In most cases you will have an initial appearance, where the judge will inform you of the charges and potential penalties. At that hearing the judge may ask you to enter a plea, either guilty or not guilty. At that same hearing the judge might ask what you plan to do about an attorney. That is when you should tell the judge that you are hiring Morrise Thompson. After we have been retained, we will file an appearance of counsel, informing the judge and the prosecutor that you are now represented by our office. Then we will file a demand for discovery, forcing the prosecutor to provide all the evidence they have collected to that point, the police reports, any written statements by witnesses, any recordings, etc. We will review that evidence with you and begin considering what defenses might apply to your case, what motions could be filed, and what other investigations need to be performed.
Will paying the store or victim make the case go away?
Voluntary restitution can help, but it doesn’t automatically dismiss charges. We negotiate formal civil-compromise or diversion agreements that both satisfy the victim and persuade prosecutors or judges to reduce or dismiss the case—protecting your record in the process.
Call A Theft and Burglary Attorney Now
Don’t wait. The sooner you involve an experienced defense attorney, the better your chances of success. Contact Morrise Thompson Foresta Legal today to protect your future.