Georgetown Theft Lawyer

Ownership Disputes

A theft accusation can arise from a genuine ownership dispute rather than criminal conduct. If two parties have conflicting claims to the same property, the accused can argue they had a legal right to possess it. This defense comes up frequently in family, roommate, and employer-employee situations. Receipts, purchase records, or other documentation can establish rightful ownership and undercut the prosecution’s case.

Consent From the Owner

If the owner gave permission to take or use the property, that consent is a complete defense to a theft charge. Electronic communications, including emails and text messages, can establish that the accused acted with the owner’s knowledge and approval. We gather and present that evidence clearly.

Entrapment

If law enforcement induced or coerced the accused into committing a theft they wouldn’t otherwise have committed, the conduct can be challenged as entrapment. We investigate whether officers overstepped legal boundaries to manipulate the situation and, when the facts support it, raise that defense aggressively.

Procedural Errors by Law Enforcement

Mistakes during an arrest or investigation can seriously damage the prosecution’s case. Evidence obtained without a valid warrant can be suppressed under the Fourth Amendment, sometimes removing a key part of the state’s case. We review every step of the investigation for constitutional violations.

Texas Theft Charge Classifications & Penalties

Texas classifies theft primarily by the value of the property taken. Understanding where your charge falls matters because the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony can mean the difference between a fine and years in prison.

Texas theft classifications by property value:

• Class C Misdemeanor: Under $100
• Class B Misdemeanor: $100 to under $750
• Class A Misdemeanor: $750 to under $2,500
• State Jail Felony: $2,500 to under $30,000
• Third-Degree Felony: $30,000 to under $150,000
• Second-Degree Felony: $150,000 to under $300,000
• First-Degree Felony: $300,000 or more

Felony theft convictions can carry fines up to $10,000 and prison sentences of up to 99 years for a first-degree felony. Two prior theft convictions can elevate a subsequent charge to a felony regardless of the property’s value. Certain stolen property categories, such as catalytic converters, may carry enhanced classifications independent of dollar value. A conviction can also interfere with employment background checks, professional licensing, housing applications, and, for noncitizens, immigration status.

Robbery and burglary carry their own distinct classifications and penalties. If you’re facing those charges, see our dedicated pages on those offenses. No matter where a Georgetown theft charge falls on that spectrum, the time to act is now.