Texas Penal Code Sec. 31.03. THEFT

Have you been accused of shoplifting? Of stealing money at your job? Of not paying for certian services? All of these matters fall under the category of THEFT and can greatly affect you freedom and your reputation. We have spent twenty years working on these types of cases and we know how defend and protect our clients against theft allegations.

Theft is a value ladder crime meaning higher valued items result in higher levers of penalties. When we work on a theft case our number one goal is to keep it off of your permanent criminal record. There are a number  of ways to achieve this result. Call us now to set up a free consultation so we can discuss your case. The punishment and fine levels for Theft related crimes are set out
below.

(a) A person commits an offense if he unlawfully appropriates property with intent to deprive the owner of property.
(b) Appropriation of property is unlawful if:
(1) it is without the owner’s effective consent;
(2) the property is stolen and the actor appropriates the property knowing it was stolen by another; or
(3) property in the custody of any law enforcement agency was explicitly represented by any law enforcement agent to the actor as being stolen and the actor appropriates the property believing it was stolen by another.

(c) For purposes of Subsection (b):

(1) evidence that the actor has previously participated in recent transactions other than, but similar to, that which the prosecution is based is admissible for the purpose of showing knowledge or intent and the issues of knowledge or intent are raised by the actor’s plea of not guilty;
(2) the testimony of an accomplice shall be corroborated by proof that tends to connect the actor to the crime, but the actor’s knowledge or intent may be established by the uncorroborated testimony of the accomplice;
(3) an actor engaged in the business of buying and selling used or secondhand personal property, or lending money on the security of personal property deposited with the actor, is presumed to know upon receipt by the actor of stolen property (other than a motor vehicle subject to Chapter 501, Transportation Code) that the property has been previously stolen from another if the actor pays for or loans against the property $25 or more (or consideration of equivalent value) and the actor knowingly or recklessly: