Property Crimes

Police and prosecutors take property crimes like burglary, theft, and credit card abuse more seriously than you might think. These allegations can result in serious consequences like jail or prison and steep fines. Moreover, they can cause permanent damage to your reputation, career, and future. Don’t trust your and your family’s future to just anyone. You need an experienced, dedicated Dallas property crimes lawyer in your corner.

Dallas Property Crimes Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been accused of a property crime in Dallas, contact the Law Office of Mike Howard. Most importantly, Dallas property crimes lawyer Mike Howard has the experience, trial skills, and dedication that you need when you are fighting for your life. We will do everything we can to fight for you. Moreover, Mr. Howard will give you an honest assessment of your case and explain the law and your legal options.

A Different Kind of Lawyer

We approach our clients differently than a lot of lawyers. Above all, our philosophy is that being a great lawyer is more than getting you a great result. First, our office is centered around you. This means we start by truly listening to you to understand your case and your goals. Further, our team works to provide you with a client experience that is as easy and stress-free as possible. Answering your questions and keeping you informed is very important to us. Most importantly, we treat you as a person, not a number. Finally, our goal is to achieve the best possible result for you. If you’re looking for a different kind of lawyer you’ve come to the right place.

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Our Case Process

Listen & Understand

We focus on clients as real people. First, we list to understand who you are and what you need. Then we make sure we fully understand the facts of the case.

Open Communication

We explain the law, your rights, and the legal process. Because communication is very important to us, we strive to quickly answer questions and return communication.

Fight for Justice

Simply put: we fight hard for you. In the courtroom, in negotiations, and before a case even is officially opened, we fight for justice for you.

Property Crimes Offenses in Dallas

Burglary

A person commits burglary (Texas Penal Code § 30.02) if, without the effective consent of the owner, the person:

  • enters a habitation, or a building, with intent to commit a felony, theft, or assault. OR
  • remains concealed with intent to commit a felony, theft, or assault, in a building or habitation. OR
  • enters a building or habitation and commits or attempts to commit a felony, theft, or assault.

For more information about burglary charges in Dallas (for example, burglary of a habitation, burglary of a building, and burglary of a vehicle), see our burglary page.

Theft

A person commits theft (Texas Penal Code § 31.03) if they unlawfully take property with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. For more information about theft charges in Dallas, see our theft page.

Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle

A person commits unauthorized use of a vehicle (Texas Penal Code § 31.07) if they intentionally or knowingly operate another’s boat, airplane, or vehicle without the owner’s permission. People sometimes refer to these charges as UUMV or unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. For more information about unauthorized use of a vehicle charges in Dallas, see our unauthorized use of a vehicle page.

Credit Card Abuse

A person can commit credit card abuse or debit card abuse (Texas Penal Code § 32.31) in many different ways. The most common are:

  • without the effective consent of the cardholder, possesses a credit card or debit card with intent to use it. OR
  • steals a credit card or debit card. OR
  • knowing it has been stolen, they receive a credit card or debit card with intent to use it, to sell it, or to transfer it.

For more information about credit card or debit card abuse charges in Dallas, see our credit card abuse or debit card abuse page.

Criminal Trespass

A person commits criminal trespass (Texas Penal Code § 30.05) if they enter or remain on or in property of another without effective consent and the person:

  • had notice that the entry was forbidden. OR
  • received notice to depart but failed to do so.

For more information about criminal trespass charges in Dallas, see our criminal trespass page.

Criminal Mischief

A person commits criminal mischief (Texas Penal Code § 28.03) if, without the effective consent of the owner:

  • they intentionally or knowingly damage or destroy the tangible property of the owner. OR
  • they intentionally or knowingly tamper with the property of the owner and cause loss or substantial inconvenience to the owner or a third person. OR
  • they intentionally or knowingly make markings, including inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings, on the tangible property of the owner.

For more information about criminal mischief charges in Dallas, see our criminal mischief page.

Graffiti

A person commits graffiti (Texas Penal Code § 28.08) if, without the effective consent of the owner, the person intentionally or knowingly makes markings, including inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings, on the tangible property of the owner with:

  • paint;
  • an indelible marker; or
  • an etching or engraving device.

For more information about graffiti charges in Dallas, see our graffiti page.

Arson

Arson (Texas Penal Code § 28.02) can be committed a number of different ways. Most commonly, a person commits arson if they intentionally start a fire or cause an explosion and in so doing:

    • recklessly damages or destroys a building belonging to another. OR
    • recklessly causes another person to suffer bodily injury or death.

For more information about arson charges in Dallas, see our arson page.

“Mike and his team made me feel the most comfortable...

I called a few Attorneys and Mike and his team made me feel the most comfortable. This is my first time being in a situation like this but the professionalism and communication really put me at easy especially because I’m out of state I needed someone I could trust with my life. He broke down everything for me step by step and helped me through a situation that could’ve ruined my career. So I’d like to thank Mike again for getting my case rejected!!

Ashley Thompson

Resources and Information

See our criminal defense resource center for more information from Dallas property crimes lawyer Mike Howard on fundamental rights in a criminal case, definitions intentionally, knowingly, etc, defenses to prosecution, and more.

Defending Property Crimes Charges in Dallas

First and foremost, the prosecutor must prove their allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot rule out each and every possible reasonable doubt, the presumption of innocence prevails. As a result, the court must find you not guilty. This means you don’t have to prove that you didn’t do it. You don’t have to prove anything!

The only way the prosecution wins is if the jury believes their story is the only reasonable way it could’ve happened. If they have any reasonable doubts that it actually happened, they must find you not guilty. If they reasonably think it could’ve happened another way, they must find you not guilty. This is the highest burden of proof in our justice system. When implemented by a skilled Dallas property crimes attorney, it can be a powerful weapon.

Choosing the Right Property Crimes Lawyer in Dallas

Searching for property crime lawyers in Dallas can be overwhelming. After all, you are choosing someone who will hold your life, your future, and your family’s future in their hands. Most of all, you have to be comfortable with them and feel that you can trust the information and advice they give you. Attorneys are supposed to always work in their client’s best interest. That shouldn’t just be meaningless talk.

First, talk to several lawyers to get a feel for them and their staff. Do they take the time necessary to get to know you, listen to what’s important to you, and answer your questions? Second, do they show you that you matter to them as a person and not just as a fee? Third, beware of lawyers who put the hard sell on you, who make big promises. No attorney should ever make a guarantee about a case. Finally, absolutely avoid a lawyer who doesn’t communicate the scope of the work and their fee clearly in a written contract.

What Makes Mike Howard Different

Many lawyers take advantage of their client’s ignorance of the criminal justice process. We take the opposite approach. A knowledgeable client is a happy client. Therefore, we provide a wealth of information in the way of articles about criminal offenses, blog posts, and videos for free on our website.

Visit our YouTube Channel for informational videos and client testimonials.
Visit our blog for posts on cases, defenses, and criminal law information.

Dallas Property Crimes Attorney Mike Howard

Above all, I strive to help my clients through difficult times with compassion and integrity. In Dallas innocent people can get accused, charged, and convicted when they don’t have a Dallas property crimes attorney fighting for them. I believe in standing up for people facing criminal accusations and helping them navigate all that comes with being thrown into the criminal justice system.

Client-Centered

The cornerstone of my law practice is focusing on my clients as individuals.  I start by taking the time to understand not just the facts of their case, but who they are and what they need. Because I know the criminal justice system can be intimidating, I explain the process, their rights, and their options. Client communication is extremely important to me, so I make sure my team and I do everything possible to quickly answer questions and return messages.

Willing to Fight

Most importantly, I am willing to fight a case in court.  I have a track record of delivering fantastic results at trial. While not every client and case needs to go to trial, it can make a difference. When your Dallas property crimes attorney has a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it can make all the difference in the world.

A Proven Track Record

Dallas Property Crimes Lawyer

E.G. – Theft

Our client was charged with theft. She had no criminal record and simply made a mistake. We were able to get her pretrial diversion, a dismissal, and an expunction.

M.J. – Burglary of a Habitation

Our client suffered from mental health issues and was not a U.S. Citizen. His felony burglary charge could have sent him to prison and gotten him deported. We got his charge reduced to a misdemeanor, avoided a conviction, and got him deferred probation. 

B.H. – Organized Retail Theft

Our client was charged as part of a large organized retail theft ring. While he was looking at serious prison time, we were able to avoid a conviction and get him deferred probation.

J.C. – Felony Theft

Our client was facing a high-profile accusation of theft with public demands for aggressive prosecution. We were able to get the charge reduced to a misdemeanor, avoid conviction and jail time, and get him unsupervised deferred probation.

R.S. – Burglary

Our client was facing a burglary charge. We were able to get her into pretrial diversion, get her case dismissed, and eligible for a full expunction.

N.C. – Theft

Our client was charged with theft. She had no criminal record. We were able to get her pretrial diversion, a dismissal, and an expunction.