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(888) 854-7163
Credit Cards Accepted
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San Antonio, Texas Theft Criminal Defense Lawyers
TEXAS THEFT AND THEFT BY CHECK
If you or a loved one have been charged for theft in the City of San Antonio, Texas or in Bexar County contact our theft defense lawyers immediately. Under Texas law, theft crimes include: robbery, burglary, shoplifting, theft, theft by check, forgery and fraud. The severity of the alleged crime and the value of the goods allegedly taken are factors that the State considers when determining whether to charge the individual with a misdemeanor or a felony.
Moreover, theft is considered a crime of “moral turpitude”. This means that if convicted of theft, a person’s criminal record can be used to show that individual’s poor moral character. Regardless of the value of the item, a single conviction of theft can have devastating effect on a person’s ability to get employment, rent an apartment and gain admission to college.
If you are charged with the crime of theft, it is extremely important that you contact an experienced theft defense lawyer immediately. At Joyner+ Joyner, our theft defense lawyers have the experience and resources to answer your questions so you can make an informed decision regarding your situation.
Texas Theft Law
According to Texas Penal code 31.0:
Theft is depriving the owner of their property without effective consent; or the property is stolen and the actor appropriates the property knowing it was stolen by another; or
property in the custody of any law enforcement agency was explicitly represented by any law enforcement agent to the actor as being stolen and the actor appropriates the property believing it was stolen.
The following are punishment ranges for theft related offenses:
Texas Theft Penalties
Theft $50-$500 and Theft by check $20-$500
- Class B misdemeanor and carries a range of punishment of up to a $2000 fine and up to 180 days confinement in the County Jail.
Theft and Theft by check $500-$1500
- Class A misdemeanor and carries a range of punishment of up to a $4000 fine and up to 1 year confinement in the County Jail.
- Typically these offenses involve a situation where an individual attempts to walk past the last point of sale at a department store without attempting to pay for an item or items.
Theft $1,500-$20,000; Theft of Aluminum, Bronze, or Copper; Theft of a firearm; and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
- State jail felony and carries a range of punishment of up to a $10000 fine and up to 2 years confinement in a State Jail Facility.
- Typically these offenses involve a situation where an individual takes a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner and where the individual has the intent to deprive the owner of his property.
Theft $20,000-$100,000
- Third degree felony and carries a range of punishment of up to a $10000 fine and a term of confinement anywhere from 2 years to 10 years in the Texas Department of Corrections.
Theft $100,000-$200,000
- Second degree felony and carries a range of punishment of up to a $10000 fine and a term of confinement anywhere from 2 years to 20 years in the Texas Department of Corrections.
Theft $200,000 or more
- First degree felony and carries a range of punishment of up to a $10000 fine and a term of confinement anywhere from 5 years to 99 years in the Texas Department of Corrections.
Texas Theft Enhancement Issues
- In Texas, an individual who is convicted of 2 prior theft convictions can have any subsequent theft charges enhanced by the district attorneys office. Thus, a Class B theft can become a State Jail offense if an individual has 2 prior theft convictions.