Held for Shoplifting
W.S. 6-3-405 — a store may detain and question for a reasonable time
A peace officer, merchant or merchant's employee with reasonable cause to believe someone is stealing goods offered for sale by a store may detain and question the person in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time.
Who handles this in Wyoming: Wyoming State Bar, attorney referrals; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Wyoming directory.
That reasonable cause, with a reasonable detention, is a defense if the person later sues or presses charges for slander, false arrest, false imprisonment, assault, battery or wrongful detention.
Shoplifting is charged as theft. Under $1,000 it is a misdemeanor with up to one year, a fine of up to $1,500, or both.
Sources for this section (2)
- W.S. 6-3-405 — Reasonable detention and interrogation of persons suspected of shoplifting or altering price tag; defense in civil or criminal action
- W.S. 6-3-402 — Theft; penalties
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Wyoming attorney.