Experienced Defense For Larceny And Other Theft Crimes
The penalties for a theft conviction in Texas vary widely based on certain circumstances, including (but not limited to):
- The monetary value of the property taken
- Whether a weapon was used
- Whether the person accused of theft has previously been convicted of theft
- Whether the theft in question was committed by accident or under duress
- The age and mental state of the accused party
The value of the allegedly stolen party is the most important factor in determining the level of offense. Under Texas law, larceny and theft offenses are categorized by property value as follows:
- <$100: Class C misdemeanor (Up to $500 in fines, no jail time; Texas Penal Code § 12.03, 12.23)
- $100 – $749: Class B misdemeanor (Up to $2,000 in fines and 180 days in jail; Texas Penal Code § 12.22)
- $750 – $2,499: Class A misdemeanor (Up to $4,000 in fines and a single year in jail; Texas Penal Code § 12.21)
- $2,500 – $29,999: State jail felony (Up to $10,000 in fines and two years in state jail; Texas Penal Code § 12.35)
- $30,000 – $149,999: Third-degree felony (Up to $10,000 and 10 years in prison; Texas Penal Code § 12.34)
- $150,000 – $299,999: Second-degree felony (Up to $10,000 and 20 years in prison; Texas Penal Code § 12.33)
- $300,000+: First-degree felony (Up to $10,000 in fines and 99 years in prison; Texas Penal Code § 12.32)
Lewis & Ashworth, PLLC, Theft FAQs
At Lewis & Ashworth, PLLC, we are proud to serve our friends and neighbors in Plano and throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With more than three decades of collective experience, our legal team has served our community as prosecutors and is now focused on using our insider knowledge of the criminal justice system to benefit people like you.
Can I be prosecuted for theft by the government and sued by the owner of the property?
Yes, and this is very common. A theft conviction in the state of Texas opens you up to civil liability, which means the owner of the stolen property can file a lawsuit against you to recover the property in question, the value thereof, and related financial damages. We can help prevent this by working with the court to have your criminal charges dismissed or favorably altered so that you are not open to further litigation. Protect yourself now by connecting with one of our theft crime lawyers in Plano.
What happens if I have been convicted of theft before?
If you have been charged with or convicted of theft before, the court may enhance your offense to a higher class, and you may be subject to the related penalties. As your attorneys, we can work with judges, prosecutors, and other members of the criminal justice system here in Dallas-Fort Worth to make sure your charges are not piled up unfairly or blown out of proportion.
Our Plano theft crime defense attorneys have taken more than 250 misdemeanor and felony cases to trial, so we are not afraid to fight for you inside or outside the courtroom. We are ready to protect your rights, reputation and future.
Contact Lewis & Ashworth, PLLC Today
Do not hesitate to contact us at 214-856-6130 for more information about our legal services.
