Common Theft Charges in Texas

Even small-dollar theft charges can carry lasting consequences on your criminal record, employment, and reputation.

Here’s what you need to know about how Texas defines theft, what penalties there are, and how a skilled defense attorney can help protect your future.

What’s Considered Theft in Texas?

Under Texas Penal Code § 31.03, a person commits theft if they unlawfully appropriate property, with the intent to deprive the owner of it permanently, and without the owner’s effective consent.

This definition conveys a wide range of situations, like:

• Shoplifting: Taking items from a store without paying
• Employee theft: Stealing from an employer
• Theft by deception: Tricking someone into handing over property
• Theft of services: Receiving services without paying

Even if the dollar amount is small, theft charges define that you acted intentionally, and this can follow you throughout the course of your life. Theft charges must be taken seriously and handled correctly.

Penalties for Theft in Texas

The penalties for theft depend on the value of the stolen property:

What Can a Williamson County Defense Attorney Do?

When facing theft charges, your defense attorney’s primary goal is to protect your record and future. This often involves:

• Challenging evidence
• Reviewing how law enforcement handled interviews or searches
• Negotiating with prosecutors to reduce charges
• Advocating for pretrial diversion or deferred adjudication

Even if the evidence seems strong, an experienced theft attorney may be able to avoid jail time and prevent a permanent conviction.

Facing Theft Charges in Williamson County?

A conviction for theft could follow you for life, affecting your housing, employment, and even professional licensing. Ryan Deck is a board-certified criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience handling theft and property crime cases in Wilco and Travis County. Contact our office today to explore your options.

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