Houston Theft Attorneys | Theft Defense Lawyers

Houston Theft Charges

Theft is the most prosecuted crime in Texas state court. A theft conviction based on a high dollar amount taken can lead to a lengthy prison sentence, and felony theft in general can make someone unhirable in the workforce.

Employee theft, or an alleged theft by an employee from their company, carries an additional stigma. Because of the consequences of a theft conviction, it is important to find the best Houston-based theft lawyer possible for your case.

2010-2013 Houston Theft Charge Case Results

Here are some of my recent case results related specifically to theft charges:

Case: State of Texas v. A.T.
Charge: Theft
Result: Dismissed

Case: State of Texas v. S.M.
Charge: Felony theft
Result: Pretrial diversion

Case: State of Texas v. A.B.
Charge: Theft
Result: Dismissed

Case: State of Texas v. C.W.
Charge: Felony Theft
Result: Reduced to misdemeanor deferred adjudication

More 2010-2013 Case Results

Value Ladder

The punishments for theft are based on the alleged value taken:

Alleged Amount Taken	Punishment	Punishment Range
Over $200,000	First Degree Felony	5 to 99 years prison
$100,000 to $200,000	Second Degree Felony	2 to 20 years prison
$20,000 to $100,000	Third Degree Felony	2-10 years prison
$1500 to $20,000	State Jail Felony	6 months to 2 years state jail
$500 to $1500	Class A Misdemeanor	up to one year jail
$50 to $500	Class B Misdemeanor	up to 6 months in jail

Probation is also a possible punishment to theft.

The Law of Theft in Texas

In Texas, theft is defined as when a person “unlawfully appropriates property with intent to deprive the owner of the property.”

The main thrust of the theft statute is the “unlawfully” part—typically, the D.A. must prove that the accused exercised control over or took something, whether property or a benefit, from an owner without the owner’s consent.

The theft statute is broad—it includes accusations of shoplifting, conversion, swindling, extortion, embezzlement, and receiving stolen property.

Defenses To Theft Charges

Every theft case is different, and there are many defenses to theft charges. For example, in an employee theft case, the D.A. might not be able to connect the employee to the missing funds. In a fraud cause, there is usually some evidence that the accused intended to comply with the rules or agreement.

Sometimes, the D.A. cannot prove the amount alleged and the case can be reduced in punishment. Furthermore, offering to pay restitution to the complaining witness can help lessen or eliminate a theft charge.