Theft Defense Attorney
Theft Defense Attorney
Why Hire a Theft Attorney
Hiring a Houston theft attorney is vital if whether you have been accused of shoplifting or larceny. Theft is a broad category of charges. Penalties can range from fines to life in prison. The following tips will help you choose the best attorney for your case. These include experience and penalties. Read on to learn more. Read on to learn more about the types of theft charges, and why you need an attorney.
Shoplifting
If you have been charged with shoplifting, you may wonder if you should hire a Houston theft attorney. If you’ve been charged with shoplifting in Houston, hiring a Houston theft attorney is highly recommended. They can fight your case in court or negotiate a plea deal with prosecutors. Your options depend on the value of the stolen items and your situation. A Houston theft attorney can advise you on your legal options, as well as help you decide what course of action is right for you.
A Houston theft attorney can help you decide whether or not to pursue a trial. Oftentimes, prosecutors will offer plea deals to criminal defendants in exchange for reduced sentences. Although misdemeanor theft charges are not usually the most serious offenses, even if they do not involve jail time, they still carry significant amount legal consequences. It is crucial to hire a Houston theft attorney who has extensive experience in the area of Houston theft law.
Identity theft
If you are charged with a crime involving theft, hiring an experienced Houston defense attorney is imperative. Prosecutors are serious about these offenses and a qualified attorney can build a strong defense for you. Not all Houston theft attorneys are created equal.
An experienced Houston theft attorney will evaluate your case and determine the best course of action. Federal identity theft cases have several defenses, and a skilled defense attorney can establish that your intent was innocent or the accusation was false. A seasoned defense attorney will utilize these defenses to get you the best possible outcome in a federal court. While the federal prosecutor has vast resources to use against you, an experienced Houston theft attorney will have the resources and knowledge to build a successful strategy that protects your constitutional rights.
Penalties
If you have been arrested for stealing something, you may be wondering whether hiring a theft lawyer in Houston is a good idea. The legal system is complex and hiring an attorney to defend you can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Texas has a specific section dedicated to crimes against property. Theft is a broad category of crimes, and can involve shoplifting, larceny, extortion, or embezzlement. Penalties for stealing something can be severe, ranging from fines to life in prison.
A misdemeanor theft charge is serious business, as it is considered a crime of moral turpitude. A conviction may lead to jail time or fines, and will show up on background checks and that can affect your employment, housing, and other important areas. For this reason, it is important to hire a Houston theft attorney to defend you. A Houston theft attorney can help you avoid a conviction or make it less severe.
Experience
If you have been accused of stealing property, you need to know the laws of your State to protect your rights. Texas has a broad set of theft and larceny laws. In Texas, larceny includes a wide variety of crimes, from taking another person’s property to knowingly possessing stolen property with the intent to deprive its rightful owner. Some crimes are even more serious than others. A Houston theft attorney with the experience to effectively fight your case will be able to keep you out of jail.
While fighting a theft charge is never an easy task, it is important to have an experienced Houston theft attorney on your side. A lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the criminal justice system can guide you through the process step by step.
Experience in criminal defense
When you are looking for a Houston theft attorney, experience matters. Experienced Houston theft attorneys have extensive experience representing clients against theft charges.
Why Hiring a Theft Defense Attorney is Critical
Houston, TX has one of the highest crime rates in the country with 56 crimes per every 1000 residents.
Like many other states, Texas doesn’t take too kindly to theft. If charged with first-degree felony theft, you could face 5 to 99 years in prison. You could also face a fine of up to $10,000.
You might be thinking, “What if I’m only facing charges for shoplifting or stealing electronics?” Either way, you’ll still face the full wrath of the law. Your only hope is to hire an experienced theft defense attorney in Houston.
In today’s post, we’ll be highlighting why hiring a theft defense lawyer is crucial for anyone facing theft charges.
Difference Between Misdemeanor and Felony Theft
All theft cases in Houston fall under two categories. These are misdemeanor thefts and felony thefts. The difference between the two is in the value of the stolen property.
If you steal property worth $2,500 or less, you’ll face a misdemeanor theft charge. If you steal anything above $2,500, you’ll face a felony theft charge. As you’d expect, the latter attracts more severe penalties like lengthy jail terms and hefty fines.
Reasons to Hire a Lawyer for Your Theft Charges
Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or felony theft charge, it’s vital to seek the help of a reputable Houston theft attorney to beat the case. Here are a couple of reasons why hiring a theft defense lawyer shouldn’t be up for debate.
They Have Tons of Experience With Theft Cases
Any reputable lawyer will have years or even decades of experience handling theft cases. This means that they have a firm understanding of all the legal aspects of such cases.
These lawyers know how to handle prosecutors and will likely have worked with them before. They also know what type of evidence is necessary to win theft cases. For instance, they might subpoena surveillance footage or character witnesses to help your case.
They Understand the Intricacies of the Judicial System
It’s obvious that anyone without a law degree will have a hard time understanding the legal system. Fortunately, you don’t have to. You can hire an attorney and let them guide the way.
This comprehensive understanding of the judicial system will come in handy when they’re negotiating on your behalf with the district attorney. They’ll know what’s fair and what’s not, and they can fight for the best possible outcome.
They Deal With Paperwork
Theft cases, especially felony thefts, involve mountains of paperwork. There’s the police report, witness statements, surveillance footage, and much more. It would be tedious and time-consuming for you to go through all of that yourself.
Hiring a theft defense attorney means you can leave the heavy lifting to your attorney. They’ll help you with all the paperwork by filling out forms, and retrieving and organizing important documents. Remember, one missing document can jeopardize your case.
They Help You Understand Your Options
When you’re facing theft charges, you might feel like you have no control over the situation. This is where a good attorney comes in. They’ll help you understand all the options available to you and advise you on the best course of action.
For instance, they might advise you to take a plea deal if the evidence against you is overwhelming. Or they might recommend going to trial if they think you have a strong case.
Other options your attorney might suggest include drug court, veteran’s court, or mental health court. These are all specialized courts that focus on rehabilitating offenders instead of punishing them.
They Help Examine the Evidence Better
Sometimes, when facing a theft charge, the evidence against you can be overwhelming. This can be very discouraging and confusing, especially for first-time offenders.
A theft defense attorney can help you examine the evidence against you and find any holes or weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. They can also help you understand what evidence is admissible in court and what isn’t. This knowledge is critical in building a strong defense.
They Help Assess Law Enforcement’s Conduct
Law enforcement must adhere to legal limits when seeking evidence for your theft case. Unfortunately, most people facing theft charges are unaware of these limits. This leads to harassment and even evidence-planting in some scenarios.
A theft defense attorney will assess law enforcement’s conduct to ensure they haven’t exceeded their legal limits. If they do, your attorney can file a motion to suppress the evidence against you. This can be critical in getting your charges reduced or even dismissed.
They Help You Make Good Use of Your Money
It’s no surprise that most people choose not to hire lawyers for their theft cases simply because lawyers are too expensive. This is not only ill-conceived but also detrimental to their theft cases.
If you crunch the numbers, you’ll find that theft defense lawyers help you save money as opposed to draining your pockets. How? Well, theft defense lawyers know how to get their client’s charges reduced or even dismissed.
In most cases, this results in the defendant paying a lot less in fines and court fees.
Hire a Theft Defense Attorney in Houston Today
If you’re facing criminal charges or theft charges in TX, don’t hesitate to call a theft defense attorney in Houston. They’re your best bet for beating the charges or having the charges leveled against you reduced.
Lucky for you, one such attorney is only a phone call away. Contact us today and we’ll help you with your theft charge.
The attorney you hire matters. A subpar attorney could derail your case, while a good one will help you.