THEFT DEFENSE ATTORNEY
IN BRYAN, TEXAS

According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there were nearly 679,430 reported incidents of property crimes in the state of Texas in 2018, of which 491,702 were larceny-theft cases. Taking someone else's property with the intent to deprive the owner of the property is considered a serious crime in Texas. Depending on the value of the property stolen and other surrounding circumstances, a convicted offender could be facing a lengthy prison sentence, substantial fines, and a permanent criminal record.

If you have been arrested and charged with theft, it is crucial that you obtain a highly-skilled and aggressive Texas criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. For over 25 years, I have been committed to providing experienced legal services and strong representation to individuals that have been charged with property crimes and theft. As your legal counsel, I will fight vigorously on your behalf to protect your rights, outline an effective defense strategy for your case, and fight the allegations against you to help you pursue the best possible outcome for your case.

My firm, Rick Davis & Associates, is proud to serve clients throughout Bryan, Texas, and the surrounding communities of College Station, Anderson, Brenham, and Caldwell, Texas.

DEFINING THEFT UNDER TEXAS LAW

Under Texas law, a person commits the offense of theft if the person unlawfully takes another person's property with the intent to deprive the owner of that property. (Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 31.03.). This means that a person may be found guilty of theft when the following elements are present:

• You take another person's property.

• Without the owner's consent or any other legal justification.

• With no intention of returning the property to its rightful owner.

EXAMPLES OF THEFT

Some common examples of theft include:

• Theft by false pretext

• Theft from the person

• Acquisition of property by threat

• Conversion by a bailee

• Shoplifting

• Swindling

• Receiving or concealing stolen property

• Embezzlement

• Receiving or concealing embezzled property

CLASSIFICATION AND POSSIBLE PENALTIES FOR THEFT CHARGES IN TEXAS

In Texas, theft crimes are classified according to the value or amount of stolen property or services. If convicted, the possible penalties for theft include:

• Property Value Less Than $100: This is considered Class C misdemeanor theft, and is punishable by a fine of up to $500.

• Property Value Between $100 and $750: This is considered a Class B misdemeanor theft, and is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail.

• Property Value Between $750 and $2,500: This is considered Class A misdemeanor theft, and is punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and up to one year in jail.

• Property Value Between $2,500 and $30,000: This is considered state jail felony theft, and is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and a jail sentence between 180 days to two years in a state jail.

• Property Value Between $30,000 and $150,000: This is considered third-degree felony theft, and is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and anywhere from two to ten years of imprisonment.

• Property Value Between $150,000 and $300,000: This is considered second-degree felony theft, and is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and anywhere from two to 20 years of imprisonment.

• Property Value at $300,000 or more: This is considered first-degree felony theft, and is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and 5 to 99 years of imprisonment.

COMMON THEFT DEFENSES

When facing theft allegations, your attorney may attempt to fight your charges using any one of the following defenses:

• Lack of intent to deprive the rightful owner of the property

• The owner consented

• Mistake of fact

• Planned to search for the rightful owner and return the property

• Age

• Duress

WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED THEFT DEFENSE ATTORNEY IN BRYAN, TEXAS

Trying to defend your Texas theft charges on your own could increase your risk of getting convicted and suffering the maximum penalties. If convicted, you could face huge fines, lengthy prison sentences, and a criminal record. Therefore, when facing theft charges, it is critical that you have a knowledgeable Texas theft defense attorney on your side to protect your rights and outline a strong defense strategy that is tailored to the unique circumstances of your case.

For over 25 years, I have devoted my career to providing comprehensive legal services and representation to individuals facing theft allegations. As an experienced Texas criminal defense attorney, I will review every aspect of your case, conduct a thorough investigation, and determine the best defense strategy that fits your unique situation. As your legal counsel, I will fight hard to defend your rights, argue against any accusations or charges against you, and do all that I can to help you pursue the justice you deserve.