Theft Crimes in Texas

The specific acts that fall under the category of theft crimes in the State of Texas are wide-ranging in nature, and therefore can result in a variety of consequences for you if you are found guilty. Regardless of the specific violation or how harmless your actions seemed at the time, you should know that theft crimes may follow you for the rest of your life.

Those who commit theft are said to be engaging in a crime of moral turpitude, which means that your dishonesty is viewed as unacceptable by the general community. Not only are you facing jail time, but also the very real possibility that employers and landlords may feel less inclined to sign contracts with you based on a decision you once made that continues to reflect poorly on your character.

As defined by the Texas Penal Code, theft is taking someone else's property without consent, either by deception or by physically stealing it. You do not need to keep the property for any period of time for the act to be considered theft. However, the prosecution is required to show that you had criminal intent in taking the property and knew that it belonged to someone else. An experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to challenge the reliability of witnesses and the legality of police searches made to recover the property.

The four most common instances of theft crimes that occur in Texas are:

• Shoplifting

• Bad checks

• General theft

• Buying or selling stolen property

Texas courts generally determine your penalty based on the value of the stolen property. With a Class C misdemeanor, the property is valued at less than $50 and you will face a fine of no more than $500. These penalties continue through to a first-degree felony, in which the stolen property holds at least $200,000 in value and you may face anywhere from five to ninety-nine years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney at Bertolino LLP

At Bertolino LLP, we have criminal defense attorneys in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio who are prepared to fight for you if you have been accused of theft. Do not make the mistake of facing these charges alone. The consequences may be longer-lasting and more serious than you imagined. Bertolino LLP has office locations in Austin, Houston and San Antonio. To contact the Austin office, call 512.476.5757. For the San Antonio office, call 210.223.5553. For the Houston office, call 713.225.7474. You may also contact the Firm by e-mail.