Texarkana Theft Crimes Lawyers

Theft crime accusations, arrests, and charges can severely impact your future. The consequences extend beyond legal penalties, potentially affecting your social reputation, ability to secure employment, and overall quality of life. 

Employers frequently conduct background checks on prospective employees, and a theft conviction can significantly reduce job opportunities; these convictions raise questions about your honesty and trustworthiness. In a competitive job market, a theft charge on your record can be the deciding factor that causes your application to be passed over in favor of another candidate. 

Defending yourself against theft crime charges thus means more than just the immediate penalties of fines, jail time, or probation. It’s about safeguarding your prospects and ensuring one mistake doesn't define the rest of your life. 

At Potter & Marks, PLLC, our team provides the comprehensive defense needed to put you in the best position to seek a favorable outcome. Our team of proven trial lawyers thoroughly investigates every aspect of your case to build a strategic criminal defense plan; we support you at every phase of the process, from investigations by law enforcement to formal charges and beyond.

Discuss your case in a free assessment with a Texarkana theft crime attorney. Call us at (870) 335-3052 or contact us online to get started. 

Texas Theft Crimes

Texas law defines theft as the unlawful appropriation of property with the intent to deprive the owner of that property. This can occur through various means, including taking property without the owner's consent, securing property by deception, or receiving property known to be stolen. 

The underlying factor in all instances of theft is the violation of the rightful owner's possession, with the perpetrator's intent not to return the property. This broad definition encompasses a range of actions.

These include:

• Class C misdemeanor theft: Involves stolen property valued at less than $100. This is often associated with minor shoplifting cases and carries a fine of up to $500 without jail time.
• Class B misdemeanor theft: Includes property valued between $100 and less than $750. It can result in up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
• Class A misdemeanor theft: Property valued at $750 to less than $2,500 falls into this category. Conviction can lead to up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $4,000.
• State jail felony theft: If the property stolen is valued at $2,500 to less than $30,000, it is considered a state jail felony. Penalties include 180 days to two years in a state jail and fines of up to $10,000.