Theft Defense Lawyer in Houston, TX

Theft Charges in Texas

In Texas, someone may be charged with three basic types of theft crimes. These are burglary, shoplifting, and robbery. These categories are defined as follows:

• Burglary – This crime involves entering a property with the intent to commit a felony. The felony involved need not include theft as an underlying crime.
• Shoplifting – generally prosecuted as a misdemeanor crime, this involves the taking of goods from retail establishments.
• Robbery — A person charged with robbery can be found guilty of removing property directly from the owner by the use of force or fear.

Each of these theft charges should be taken seriously, as there are severe penalties for those who are found guilty. A theft defense lawyer may be helpful for anyone facing these charges. A defendant should never try to fight these charges on their own, even if they are facing a misdemeanor charge.

Petty Theft vs. Grand Theft

In nearly all cases, petty theft crimes are charged as a misdemeanor, while grand theft is nearly always charged as a felony. Petty theft is further defined as the taking of property with a value of less than $500.

Grand theft is the theft of any property valued at more than $500. Keep in mind, if a weapon was used in the commission of a theft, then there will likely be enhanced charges included with the theft charge.

Because of the nature of theft crimes, anyone who is facing this type of prosecution should immediately contact a theft defense lawyer. By contacting a theft attorney, a defendant can find out their legal options, make sure their rights are not being violated, and have a strong advocate working on their defense.

When is Theft Considered a Felony?

Texas defines a felony crime when the value of stolen property exceeds $2,500. Below this level of value, the offense is nearly always charged as a misdemeanor. There are exceptions to the value of the property, which could automatically mean someone is facing a felony theft charge, including:

• Theft of a firearm is always considered a felony
• Theft of a farm animal is always considered a felony
• If a defendant has any prior theft convictions, they could face felony charges regardless of the value of the property.

Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or a felony theft charge in Fort Bend County, Texas, you need to contact a theft defense lawyer immediately. The sooner a theft attorney is involved, the better the chances of a good outcome for the defendant.

Penalties for Theft Crimes

Every theft case is different. Since no two defendants will be facing identical charges, it is crucial to understand the various penalties that may be encountered in the event someone is found guilty of a theft crime.

There are three categories of misdemeanor theft charges with different penalties. These are:

1. Class C Misdemeanor — In general, this is for theft of items valued at less than $50. If found guilty, not only will the defendant have a life-long criminal record, but they could be facing a fine of up to $500.
2. Class B Misdemeanor — When property is valued at more than $50 but less than $500, the defendant may be faced with a Class B misdemeanor charge. In these cases, guilty findings could result in up to 180 days in county jail plus a fine of up to $2,000.
3. Class A Misdemeanor — When someone is accused of theft of property valued between $500 and $1,500, they will face Class A misdemeanor charges. If convicted, the defendant could face up to one year in county jail and be required to pay fines of up to $4,000.

Because of the severity of the penalties that someone can face if found guilty of a misdemeanor theft charge, it is important to have an experienced theft defense lawyer help mount a defense. Remember, a theft attorney may be able to negotiate with a prosecutor to reduce the charges or potentially have them dismissed.

Felony theft charges are much more severe and carry far stiffer penalties than misdemeanor charges. Felonies have four categories in Texas theft cases, and the penalties are significantly more serious. The four categories are:

1. State Jail Felony — When someone is convicted of theft of property valued between $1,500 and $20,000, the conviction carries penalties that range from 180 days to two years of state jail time, and fines can be as high as $10,000
2. Third-Degree Felony — someone convicted of property theft with a value between $20,000 and $100,000 can face a prison sentence of up to 10 years and fines as high as $10,000.
3. Second Degree Felony — a conviction of property theft involving goods valued between $100,000 and $200,000 can face up to 20 years of prison time and fines upwards of $10,000.
4. First Degree Felony — theft of property valued in excess of $20,000 can result in jail time ranging from 5 years to life. In addition, a guilty verdict could involve a fine of up to $10,0000.

Theft charges must be taken seriously because Fort Bend County prosecutors mean business. Hiring a theft defense lawyer immediately upon being arrested is always recommended. The theft attorneys at Carter Law can help a defendant mount a vigorous defense and may help reduce the penalties that can be faced.