According to the Texas Penal Code, theft is defined as “unlawfully [appropriating] property with intent to deprive the owner of property.” This means taking property that doesn’t belong to you, knowingly and without the consent of the owner, with no intention of giving it back.
What types of crimes are included under “theft”?
Theft is a criminal category that contains a broad spectrum of charges. It can include:
- Theft of personal property
- Theft of real property (i.e., land)
- Theft of documents (for example, paper money and stock and bond certificates)
- Theft of services (including labor, expertise, non-material resources, accommodations, and/or utilities)
- Theft of trade secrets
- Theft by check
- Receiving or holding stolen property
- Shoplifting and petty theft
- Organized retail theft
- Larceny and Grand Larceny
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
How are theft charges classified in Dallas, Texas?
In Dallas, TX, theft charges are classified primarily by the value of the stolen property or service, and sometimes also by what type of property or services were taken, and how.
Each of these charges may also increase to the next offense level if the stolen property belonged to or was under the control of a public servant, a government contractor, a person 65 or older, a nonprofit organization, or a Medicare provider.
Dallas, Texas misdemeanor theft charges include:
- Class C Misdemeanor Theft: Stolen property or services worth less than $100.
- Potential consequences include:
- A fine of up to $500
- Civil lawsuit liability
- Class B Misdemeanor Theft: Stolen property or services worth at least $100 but less than $750, or worth less than $100, but the defendant has prior theft offenses; and/or when the stolen property is a driver’s license or another form of ID.
- Potential consequences include:
- A fine of up to $2,000, and/or
- Imprisonment for up to 180 days.
- Civil lawsuit liability
- Class A Misdemeanor Theft: Stolen property or services worth at least $750 but less than $2,500.
- Potential consequences include:
- A fine of up to $4,000, and/or
- Imprisonment for up to one year.
- Civil lawsuit liability
Felony theft charges in Dallas, Texas include:
- State Jail Theft: Stolen property or services worth at least $2,500 but less than $30,000, or less than $2,500 if the defendant has two or more theft offenses. State jail felonies are automatically elevated to a third-degree felony if the defendant used or exhibited a deadly weapon during the crime, and/or if the defendant had a previous felony conviction.
- Potential consequences include:
- A fine of up to $10,000, and/or
- Imprisonment for between 180 days-two years in state jail.
- Potential elevation to third-degree charges
- Life-long felon status and consequences
- Civil lawsuit liability
- Third-Degree Felony Theft: Stolen property or services worth at least $30,000 but less than $150,000; and/or if the stolen property was a controlled substance worth less than $150,000 stolen from a commercial building where controlled substances are typically stored (i.e., a pharmacy).
- Potential consequences include:
- A fine of up to $10,000, and/or
- Imprisonment for two to ten years.
- Life-long felon status and consequences
- Civil lawsuit liability
- Second-Degree Felony Theft: Stolen property or services worth at least $150,000 but less than $300,000, and/or if the stolen property is an ATM or its contents worth less than $300,000.
- Potential consequences include:
- A fine of up to $10,000, and/or
- Imprisonment for two to twenty years.
- Life-long felon status and consequences
- Civil lawsuit liability
- First-Degree Felony Theft: Stolen property or services is worth $300,000 or more.
- Potential consequences include:
- A fine of up to $10,000, and/or
- Imprisonment for five to 99 years.
- Life-long felon status and consequences.
- Civil lawsuit liability
Theft charges can be very serious, and should not be taken lightly. If you are facing theft charges in Dallas, TX, the right criminal defense attorney can make all the difference. Don’t let your current legal troubles define the rest of your life. Reach out to Dallas Criminal Defense Attorney David Traylor at the Traylor Law Firm for a free consultation on your Dallas theft charges today.