Generally, theft occurs when a person takes something that doesn’t belong to them without the intention of returning it to the owner. Under Texas law, a person commits theft if they appropriate another person’s property with the intent to deprive the owner of the property.
Under Texas law, theft crime is divided into different categories, depending on the types and value of the property involved. A Better Bail Bond explains these categories and their penalties.
Types of Theft Under Texas Law
Texas law identifies different types of theft crimes, such as:
1. Shoplifting
This is taking any items from a retail outlet without paying for them and without the shop owner's knowledge. It also applies to changing an item's price tag in a store.
2. Check Theft
This involves writing someone a check when you know there’s not enough money in the account to settle the amount.
3. Service Theft
When a person receives a service like home repair or car servicing and refuses to pay.
4. Trade Secret
When a person uses privileged information about a company for his own personal interest.
5. Robbery
This occurs when a person instills fear and/or creates injury on another party, whether through the use of a weapon or not, to commit theft.
6. Others
Other types of theft include embezzlement, cargo theft, organized retail theft, burglary, extortion, and concealment of stolen property.
Classification of Theft Crime Under Texas Law
Class C Misdemeanor
Theft is classified as a class C misdemeanor if the stolen item is less than $100. The punishment for this category is a fine of up to $500 but no jail time.
Class B Misdemeanor
Theft is classified as a Class B theft, if the amount is between $100 and $750. It is punishable by a fine of up to $2000 or a jail time of up to 180 days.
Class A Misdemeanor
Theft is classified as type A misdemeanor if the stolen property is more than $750 but less than $250. It is punishable by jail time of 1 year and/or fine of up to $4000.
State Felony Theft
If the stolen property is more than $2500 but less than $30,000, it is classified as a state felony theft. It is punishable by a jail term of between 180 days to two years and/or fine of up to $10,000.
Third Degree Felony Theft
Theft is classified as a third degree felony if the stolen property is worth more than $30,000 but less than $150,000. It is punishable by a jail term of 2 to 10 years and/or fine of up to $10,000.
Second Degree Felony Theft
If the theft is worth more than $150,000 but less than $300,000, it is a second degree felony. A second degree felony theft is punishable by jail term of up to 20 years and/or fine of up to $10,000.
First Degree Felony Theft
Theft is classified as first degree felony if the stolen property is $30,000 and above. It is punishable by jail term of 5 years to 99 years and/ or fine of up to $10,000.
Theft Penalties Enhancement
There are certain circumstances where a person’s penalty will increase i.e a class B misdemeanor penalty will increase to class B. Such factors include:
- If a civil servant, public servant, government contractor or medicare provider commits theft, the penalty is increased by one bracket.
- If the stolen property is under the control of a public servant or a civil servant, the penalty is bumped up by one bracket.
- If a person with prior theft charges, no matter how small, is charged with another theft crime, their penalty will increase by two brackets.
Contact A Better Bail Bond for Theft Bail in Texas
If you or your loved one has been convicted for theft in Texas, you need to get a bail to buy yourself time, so you can get a lawyer and build your case.
A Better Bail Bond is a reputable bail bond company in Houston, available to help with your bail at any time of the day. They have professionals who have experience with theft charges in texas and will walk you through the process to secure bail for your loved ones.
They offer 24-hour service in different locations including Harris County Jail, Houston Central Jail, Harris County Sheriff Inmate Processing Center, and Southeast Houston Jail.
If you have any questions about the aggravated assault bail bond, contact A Better Bail Bond at 713-244-800 or visit their website.
