How Serious Is My Theft Case In Harris County, Texas?
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A theft/shoplifting case like a criminal mischief case is determined by the amount that is alleged to have been stolen. If the dollar amount is less than $50 then it is a class "c" misdemeanor. A person can not go to jail for these type of cases. In fact, the punishment is only a fine. Once it is over $50 it becomes a class 'B" misdemeanor. A person can go to jail for up to 180 days and/or receive a fine up to $2,000 for this level of offense. If the amount alleged is over $500 but less than $1,500 it becomes a class "A" misdemeanor and the punishment increases up to one year in the county jail or a fine up to $4,000. A theft/shoplifting becomes a felony one of two ways. It could become a felony if the person has been convicted twice before of theft. Please keep in mind that a deferred adjudication is not a conviction. Next, it could become a felony if the amount is over $1,500. If the amount is over $1,500 but under $20,000 it is a state jail felony. The range of punishment for this offense is not less then 180 days and no more then 2 years and a fine up to $10,000. If the amount is over $20,000 but under $100,000 it becomes a third degree felony where the range of punishment if from 2 to 10 years in the Texas Department of Corrections and a fine up to $10,000. If the amount is over $100,000, but under $200,000 you are facing a second degree felony where the range of punishment if from 2 to 20 years in the Texas Department of Corrections and a fine up to $10,000. Finally, when the amount is over $200,000 a person is facing a first degree felony where the punishment is from 5 years to 99 years or life in the Texas Department of Corrections and a fine up to $10,000.
As you can see a theft case is very serious. As I have mentioned before even a minor theft case is a crime of moral turpitude. .
