Theft is a serious offense in Texas, but grand theft is even harsher than other theft offenses. If the value of the property involved in an offense is less than $500, the charges are generally petty theft and punishable by a misdemeanor offense. Once the property value goes above $500, the laws are more severe and charges of grand theft are in question. For details on theft offenses, take a look at the Texas Penal Code §31.03.
Theft entails unlawfully taking property with the intent of depriving the owner of that property permanently. When it comes to grand theft, not all cases are charged the same. As stated before, grand theft involves offenses with property valued above $500. There are misdemeanor grand theft and felony grand theft categories. The charges depend on the exact value of property.
Potential Penalties for Grand Theft
Property valued between $500 and $1,500:
- Charged as a Class A Misdemeanor
- Punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000
Property valued between $1,500 and $100,000:
- Charged as a Third Degree Felony
- Punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
Property valued between $100,000 and $200,000:
- Charged as a Second Degree Felony
- Punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
Property valued over $200,000:
- Charged as a First Degree Felony
- Punishable by between five and 99 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
Contact a San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Grand theft is not taken lightly in Texas and you could be facing serious consequences. Need a lawyer for a theft crime case in San Antonio? Team up with The Law Office of John J. Fox to put an aggressive San Antonio grand theft lawyer on your side. Contact us now to set up your free case evaluation!