Former Prosecutors With
Offices in Dallas and Mckinney
Offices in Dallas and Mckinney
Theft
Aggressive Defense Against Theft Charges
A Theft Conviction is simply not an option in today’s economy. A Theft Conviction may haunt you for the rest of your life, making it nearly impossible to find a decent job. Regardless of how you spin it, a theft conviction is tough to explain to a potential employer. If you’re charged with a Theft offense, you must find an aggressive attorney to fight for your best interests.
In Texas there are a wide range of theft cases that an individual can be charged with including:
- Shoplifting
- Felony Theft
- Theft Enhanced
- Fraud
- Robbery
- Burglary
- Theft of Services
- Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle
In order to obtain a conviction for Theft, the State must prove that an individual appropriated the property and intended to deprive the owner of the property without their consent of the owner. Theft can be charged anywhere from a Class C Misdemeanor up to a First Degree Felony depending on the value of the property stolen. Value is defined as the fair market value of the property at the time and place of the offense.
| Value of Property | Classification of Offense |
| $200,000 or more | First Degree Felony |
| $100,00 or more but less than $200,000 | Second Degree Felony |
| $20,000 or more but less than $100,000 | Third Degree Felony |
| $1500 or more but less than $20,000 | State Jail Felony |
| $500 or more but less than $1500 | Class A Misdemeanor |
| $50 or more but less than $500 | Class B Misdemeanor |
| Less than $50 | Class C Misdemeanor |
If an individual steals property at different times but pursuant to one scheme or continuing course of conduct, the entire conduct may be considered as one theft offense and the amounts added up or aggregated to determine the grade of the offense. In other words, the Prosecution will attempt to add up several small Thefts in order to increase the punishment range for the offense.
You can also be charged with Possessing Stolen Property. However, the Prosecution must show that you not only possessed stolen property but that you had knowledge that it was stolen. Mere possession of the stolen property is not sufficient to sustain a conviction.
Burglary occurs when an item is stolen from a particular place. Burglary of a Habitation is when an individual enters a home without the permission of the owner with the intent to commit theft. Burglary of a Habitation is a First Degree Felony. Burglary of a Building is a State Jail Felony and Burglary of a Vehicle is a Class A Misdemeanor. Merely entering in the premises or vehicle without the permission of the owner is Criminal Trespass. In order for the unauthorized entry to be classified as a Burglary, there must be the intent to commit theft.
If you hire Pask Law to handle your Theft or Burglary offense, Neil and Harrison will do everything they can to give you every opportunity to avoid a Theft conviction.
Contact Pask Law at 214-360-9700 today for a free consultation.