Theft Crimes

First and foremost, it is extremely important to take a theft crime allegation very seriously. Theft can include extortion, embezzlement, and employee theft. Furthermore, other theft crimes can include theft from a person, retail theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle, burglary, and robbery. Theft crimes in Dallas can range from low-level misdemeanors all the way up to the most serious felony charges. Moreover, theft crimes are crimes of moral turpitude.  Consequently, they can carry much more than jail or prison time and steep financial penalties. Theft allegations can damage your reputation, foreclose on employment and educational opportunities, and harm your family and future. Therefore, choosing the right Dallas theft lawyer is incredibly important.

Dallas Theft Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been accused of theft in Dallas, contact the Law Office of Mike Howard. Most importantly, Dallas theft 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.

Theft Charges in Dallas

A person commits theft (Texas Penal Code § 31.03) if they unlawfully appropriate property with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. Appropriation of property is unlawful if:

  • it is without the owner’s effective consent; or
  • the property is stolen and the actor appropriates the property knowing it was stolen by another. This is commonly called theft receiving or concealing stolen property).

“Appropriate” means:

  • to transfer or purported transfer of title to or other non-possessory interest in property, whether to the actor or another; or
  • to acquire or otherwise exercise control over property other than real property.

“Deprive” means:

  • to withhold property from the owner permanently or for so extended a period of time that a major portion of the value or enjoyment of the property is lost to the owner;
  • to restore property only upon payment of reward or other compensation; or
  • to dispose of property in a manner that makes recovery of the property by the owner unlikely.

Charges Related to Theft

Theft offenses are also sometimes known by other names. For example: theft by false pretext, conversion by a bailee, theft from the person, shoplifting, embezzlement, extortion, and receiving and concealing stolen property.

Auto theft is sometimes charged as unauthorized use of a vehicle. This is especially the case if the prosecutor cannot prove theft but can show lack of the owner’s consent. For more information about unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charges in Dallas, see our unauthorized use of a vehicle page.

Resources and Information

See our criminal defense resource center for more information from Dallas theft lawyer Mike Howard on fundamental rights in a criminal case, definitions of culpable mental states (intentionally, knowingly, etc), defenses to prosecution, and more.

Theft Penalties

The punishment range for a theft offense depends on the value of the property stolen. If the property was stolen from an elderly person or a nonprofit, the court raises the punishment range one level.

Theft of Less than $100

Is a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, except if the accused person has previously been convicted of theft, then it is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, which can result in up to 6 months in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.

Theft $100 – $750

Is a Class B misdemeanor. As a result, you could face up to 6 months in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.

Theft $750 – $2,500

Is a Class A misdemeanor. As a result, you could face up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.

Theft $2,500 – $30,000

Is a state jail felony. As a result, you could face 6 months – 2 years in the state jail facility and up to a $10,000 fine.

Theft of Firearm

Is a state jail felony. As a result, you could face 6 months – 2 years in the state jail facility and up to a $10,000 fine.

Theft < $2500 Enhanced

Theft of property valued at less than $2,500 where the accused person has been previously convicted two or more times of theft is a state jail felony. As a result, you could face 6 months – 2 years in the state jail facility and up to a $10,000 fine.

Theft $30,000 – $150,000

Is a third-degree felony. As a result, you could face 2 – 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Theft of a Controlled Substance <$150,000

If stolen from a pharmacy, clinic, hospital, nursing facility, or warehouse is a third-degree felony. As a result, you could face 2 – 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Theft $150,000 – $300,000

Is a second-degree felony. As a result, you could face 2 – 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Theft of More than $300,000

Is a first-degree felony. As a result, you could face 5 – 99 years or life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Defending Theft 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 theft attorney, it can be a powerful weapon.

“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

Choosing the Right Theft Lawyer in Dallas

Searching for theft 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. You have to be comfortable with them and feel that you can trust the information and advice they give you. Lawyers are supposed to always work in their client’s best interests. 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, to 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 lawyer 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 attorneys 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 Theft 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 theft 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 theft attorney has a reputation as a skillful trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it makes all the difference in the world.

A Proven Track Record

Dallas Theft 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.

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 From Employer

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.

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.

B.B. – Theft (Multiple Charges in Multiple Counties)

Our client had a heroin problem and was stealing to support his addiction. We were able to get him into drug treatment and get all his charges dismissed.