Dallas Theft Crime Attorney

Fighting Theft Charges in Dallas

The grouping of crimes that falls under theft embraces a number of different more specific criminal acts. They each involve the act of intentionally taking a person's property without their express permission.

Examples of theft crimes include:

A variety of fraudulent crimes can be considered theft offenses as well including identity theft, forgery and embezzlement. These offenses can include both misdemeanors and felonies depending on the value of the item or items stolen and the specific circumstances surrounding the theft. The penalty for conviction of a theft crime depends on the value of the property and the nature of the theft.

Theft Penalties in Texas

If the value of the property was less than $1,500 and the nature of the theft was non-violent, the individual will most likely be charged with a misdemeanor. This can be punishable by a fine and restitution and/or jail time (up to 1 year) or probation, especially if it is just a first offense.

Here is a list of the types of misdemeanors with their associated penalties:

• Class C Misdemeanor Theft: Property taken = less than $100
  • Penalty: fines up to $500, no jail time
• Class B Misdemeanor Theft: Property taken = $100-$750
  • Penalty: fines up to $2,000, no more than 180 days in jail
• Class A Misdemeanor Theft: Property taken = $750-$2,500
  • Penalty: fines up to $4,000, no more than one year in jail

Felony theft crimes such as armed robbery or the theft of more than $2,500 in value can involve more serious penalties, including a possible life sentence in prison and heavy fines.

Below we have listed the various penalties associated with each type of felony conviction:

• State Jail Felony Theft: Property taken = $2,500-$30,000
  • Penalty: fines up to $10,000, with 180 days to 2 years in jail
• Felony of the Third Degree Theft: Property taken = $30,000-$150,000
  • Penalty: fines up to $10,000, with 2-10 years of incarceration
• Felony of the Second Degree Theft: Property taken = $150,000-$300,000
  • Penalty: fines up to $10,000, with 2-20 years of incarceration
• Felony of the First Degree Theft: Property taken = $300,000 or more
  • Penalty: fines up to $10,000, with 5-99 years of incarceration

In addition to these criminal penalties, there are also may be civil penalties that have to be paid. Any damages done to the item that was stolen may need to be repaid to the person you was stolen from. Oftentimes there will be an additional civil penalty of no more than $1,000 that the convicted individual must pay as well.

Attorney Knight understands the stress and worry that you as the client may be going through. Through in-depth investigations and analyzing your case, he will work aggressively to get your charges dismissed or reduced if at all possible.