The Texas Penal Code defines theft as the unlawful appropriation of property with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. Theft crimes in Texas include the following.
Shoplifting is the deliberate action of taking an item from a store, with the clear intention of not paying for it. Switching or altering price tags also constitutes shoplifting.
Robbery cases are not typical theft crimes. Prosecutors arraign these cases as crimes of violence, with more severe penalties. The threat of violence is always present, and Texas is extremely harsh on criminal violations, especially when they involve violence.
Burglary violations encompass the unlawful breaking and entering of an occupied building or structure, with the intention of committing a crime.
Embezzlement occurs when a person, placed in a position of trust to manage the money or property of another person, steals all or part of that money or property for personal gain.
The Texas penal code states:
G Sec. 31.03 THEFT (a) A person commits an offense if he unlawfully appropriates property with intent to deprive the owner of property.
(b) Appropriation of property is unlawful if:
- It is without the owner’s effective consent.
Houston Theft Lawyer
Theft crimes in Texas comprise a long list of diverse categories. These categories include numerous, intricate sections and subsections, and exceptions that overlap in a convoluted agglomeration. An effective defense against them requires the skills of a highly experienced criminal defense attorney. Theft charges, in conjunction with other crimes, increase the severity of the charges and the punishment ranges. Theft is a crime that can have a life-long negative impact on you.
Penalties for Theft
| AMOUNT | CLASSIFICATION | PENALTIES |
| Less than $100 | Class C misdemeanor | A fine of not more than $500 |
| $100 or more but less than $750 | Class B misdemeanor | Not more than 180 days in a county jail and/or a fine of not more than $2,000 |
| $750 or more but less than $2,500 | Class A misdemeanor | Not more than 1 year in a county jail and/or a fine of not more than $4,000 |
| $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 | State jail felony | 180 days to 2 years in a state jail and/or a fine of not more than $10,000 |
| $30,000 or more but less than $150,000 | Third-degree felony | 2 to 10 years in a state prison and/or a fine of not more than $10,000 |
| $150,000 or more but less than $300,000 | Second-degree felony | 2 to 20 years in a state prison and/or a fine of not more than $10,000 |
| $300,000 or more | First-degree felony | 5 to 99 years in a state prison and/or a fine of not more than $10,000 |
Previous theft convictions will enhance your theft charge by one level. A misdemeanor becomes a state jail felony if you have two previous theft convictions. The theft of some items, including firearms or metals such as copper or aluminum, is a felony, no matter the actual value of the items.
The Hill Law Firm | Houston Theft Crimes Attorney
The attorneys of the Hill Law Firm have extensive criminal law experience, both prosecutorial and defense. The Hill Law Firm attorneys know the best way to approach a case and can see the strategy from both sides of the courtroom. This is especially helpful in a theft crime, which frequently combines with an additional criminal charge.
The risk of criminal conviction and the impending punishment phase is a nerve-racking experience, but the attorneys of the Hill Law Firm are well equipped to formulate the best defense strategy to protect your rights.Call our law offices today for your free initial consultation and we can begin to review your charges to develop the best defense strategy, which fits your case.
