Theft Crimes

San Antonio Theft Crime Lawyer

Providing Defense to Theft Charges In Texas

In the state of Texas, the crime of theft is defined as the act of taking someone else’s property or service without his or her permission. Theft charges can be prosecuted at either at the misdemeanor or the felony level, depending on various factors related to the offense. In addition to being a crime in and of itself, theft is also key element in other crimes. These offenses are known as “theft crimes.” A few examples include carjacking, burglary, robbery and aggravated robbery. If you are charged with a theft crime, you could be at risk of receiving penalties such as jail time, prison time, hefty fines and more. In these types of situations, you should not try to contest your charges without the help of a capable legal professional.

How Much Do You Have to Steal For it to be a Felony in Texas?

In the state of Texas, you must steal property that is valued at more than $2,500 for it to be considered a felony. There are different degrees of felony theft that you can be convicted of depending on the total amount of the value of stolen property or services.

Theft of Property or Service in Texas

In addition to the traditional concept of theft (taking someone’s property without his or her consent), a person can also be charged with theft for allegedly taking property that he or she knew was stolen by someone else. In these types of cases, it does matter that the offender did not directly take it from the owner. There are many people who are arrested for allegedly possessing stolen property, or even for allegedly trying to buy or sell it. When a person commits theft of service, that individual might obtain access to a service that he or she is not authorized to have, or without providing payment for that service. Such theft is usually committed through threat, deception or “false token,” according to Texas law.

Penalties for Theft and Theft-Related Crimes

An offense of theft can be considered either a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the value of the property that was stolen–the higher the value, the higher the penalties. It is important to note that the penalties for theft can be enhanced if the offender was a public servant, someone in a contractual relationship with the government or a Medicare provider. For other theft crimes, such as burglary, robbery, grand theft auto, and shoplifting, the value of property stolen does not factor into the penalties.

There are many different kinds of defenses to theft crimes, including:

• That you truly believed you had permission from the property owner or service provider
• That you did not know property was stolen when you acquired it
• That there is just not enough evidence that you committed the alleged theft crime

What is the Penalty for Theft in Texas?

In Texas, the value of the property or services or the type of property that was stolen largely determines the classification of the theft crime. Depending on the circumstances, theft can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.

Possible penalties for theft in Texas:

• Class C Misdemeanor: Value of property stolen is less than $50 and punishable by up to a $500 fine
• Class B Misdemeanor: Value of property stolen is between $50 and $500 and punishable by up to a $2,000 fine and up to 180 days in jail
• Class A Misdemeanor: Value of property stolen is between $500 and $1,500 and punishable by up to a $4,000 fine and up to one year in jail
• State Jail Felony: Value of property stolen is between $1,500 and $20,000 and punishable by up to a $10,000 fine and 180 days to two years in state jail
• Third Degree Felony: Value of property stolen is between $20,000 and $100,000 and punishable by up to a $10,000 fine and two to ten years in prison
• Second Degree Felony: Value of property stolen is between $100,000 and $200,000 and punishable by up to a $10,000 fine and two to 20 years in prison
• First Degree Felony: Value of property stolen is $200,000 or more and punishable by a $10,000 fine and five to 99 years in prison

Call My San Antonio Firm Today!

My law firm, the Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski, offers excellent legal representation for individuals who are dealing with all types of criminal charges, including theft crime charges. Since I am a San Antonio theft crime attorney who has also served as a prosecutor, I bring valuable insight to my client’s cases. Read the information provided below to learn more about how theft crimes are defined and prosecuted in the state of Texas. When you bring your case to me, I can help you craft a strong defense plan that is specifically tailored to your needs.