Theft involves the taking of another person’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. The penalties for a conviction for Theft can vary from fines and restitution (reimbursing the victim for their losses) to jail time. The severity of the case, the value of stolen property and the defendant’s criminal history are all factored into penalty assessments.

If convicted of Theft, your record may make it harder to find work and rent an apartment in Houston, as employers and landlords may run criminal background checks. Convictions for crimes of dishonesty like theft can also impact your ability to apply for college, and can delay your path to naturalization if you are not a citizen.

Criminal defenses for Theft can include claiming you believed that you had a legal right to the property or borrowed it with permission from the owner. You can also use the entrapment defense, in which you argue that you were coerced by law enforcement into committing the crime.

Other circumstances that may be taken into account include the impact on the victim, such as emotional distress, and the level of sophistication involved in the alleged crime. A conviction for Theft will also have a negative impact on your reputation, which can make it hard to maintain a professional job or network of friends and colleagues. If you have a pending Theft charge, speak to a criminal defense attorney to explore your options and build an effective strategy for fighting the charges.