Dallas Theft Defense Attorney
Board-certified. Former judge. Theft is a crime of moral turpitude — it follows you. We fight to keep it off your record.
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Last Updated: June 2026 · Board Certified in Criminal Law · Former Judge · Former Prosecutor
Theft charges in Texas are graded on a value ladder: the higher the value of the property allegedly taken, the higher the offense level — from a Class C citation to a first-degree felony. But the dollar amount is only part of the story. Theft is a "crime of moral turpitude," which means even a low-level conviction can damage employment, professional licensing, and immigration status for years. Wyde & Associates defends theft cases of every level across Dallas County and North Texas.
In short: Under Texas Penal Code § 31.03, a person commits theft by unlawfully appropriating property with intent to deprive the owner of it. Texas consolidates shoplifting, theft of services, and most property crimes into one statute, and grades the offense by the value of the property — from a Class C misdemeanor to a first-degree felony.
The State must prove unlawful appropriation and the intent to deprive — a genuine misunderstanding, a claim of right, or a billing dispute can negate the intent element. Prior theft convictions can also enhance an otherwise low-level charge to a higher level.
In short: Theft of less than $100 is a Class C misdemeanor; $100–$750 is Class B; $750–$2,500 is Class A; $2,500–$30,000 is a state jail felony; and the felony levels climb from there to a first-degree felony for property worth $300,000 or more.
| Value of Property | Classification | Jail / Prison | Max Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $100 | Class C misdemeanor | Fine only | $500 |
| $100 – <$750 | Class B misdemeanor | Up to 180 days | $2,000 |
| $750 – <$2,500 | Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year | $4,000 |
| $2,500 – <$30,000 | State jail felony | 180 days – 2 years | $10,000 |
| $30,000 – <$150,000 | Third-degree felony | 2 – 10 years | $10,000 |
| $150,000 – <$300,000 | Second-degree felony | 2 – 20 years | $10,000 |
| $300,000 or more | First-degree felony | 5 – 99 years or life | $10,000 |
Prior theft convictions and certain property types (firearms, livestock, government IDs) can raise the offense level. Penalties reflect general Texas law and can vary; this is not legal advice.
In short: Theft is classified as a crime of moral turpitude — it speaks to honesty. That makes a theft conviction especially damaging on job applications, professional and occupational licenses, and immigration matters, even when the dollar amount and sentence are small.
Employers, licensing boards, and immigration authorities treat dishonesty offenses far more harshly than the misdemeanor label suggests. A $200 shoplifting conviction can cost a professional license or a job offer. That is why the goal in a theft case is to avoid the conviction entirely — through dismissal, diversion, or a non-theft resolution.
In short: Stay silent, do not sign or admit anything to store loss-prevention or police, preserve receipts and records, follow bond conditions, and call a board-certified attorney before discussing the case.
In short: Strong theft defenses include lack of intent to deprive, mistaken identity, a good-faith claim of right or ownership, consent, an inflated property valuation that lowers the offense level, and illegal search or detention.
Intent is the crux. Forgetting to scan an item, a billing dispute, or a genuine belief that property was yours can all defeat the charge. Valuation is also frequently contested — pushing the alleged value below a threshold can drop a felony to a misdemeanor. And detentions by store security must comply with the law.
Charged with theft in Dallas County? Protect your record before you say a word.
Request a Free Case Review Call (214) 521-9100In short: Misdemeanor theft is handled in the Dallas County Criminal Courts at the Frank Crowley Courts Building; felony theft goes to the district courts. Eligible first-time defendants may qualify for pre-trial diversion or a theft-specific program that can lead to dismissal and expunction eligibility.
The Dallas County District Attorney's Office reviews theft cases for charging and diversion. For first-time, lower-value cases, an experienced attorney can often negotiate a dismissal or a resolution that avoids a theft conviction — protecting the client's honesty record.
In short: A theft conviction generally cannot be expunged. But a dismissal, acquittal, or successful diversion may make the case eligible for expunction, and some deferred-adjudication outcomes may qualify for an order of nondisclosure. Given theft's moral-turpitude stigma, keeping it off your record is the priority.
If your case is dismissed or you complete a qualifying program, our team handles the record-clearing step — see criminal record clearing and FCRA coordinated clearance to ensure background-check databases reflect the cleared outcome.
In short: Theft cases turn on intent, valuation, and diversion strategy — and the stakes reach far beyond the courtroom into your career. A board-certified former judge and prosecutor knows how to protect both your liberty and your honesty record.
| Wyde & Associates | Generalist Attorney | Court-Appointed | Plea Without Counsel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board Certified, Criminal Law | Yes | Rarely | Rarely | No |
| Former Judge & Prosecutor | Yes | No | No | No |
| Targets non-theft resolution | Yes | Varies | Varies | No |
| Flat-fee written quote | Yes | Varies | N/A | N/A |
| Direct attorney access | Yes | Varies | Limited | None |
Talk to a board-certified former judge about keeping theft off your record.
Request a Free Case Review Call (214) 521-9100Not usually. Theft is graded by value: under $100 is a Class C misdemeanor, $100–$750 is Class B, and $750–$2,500 is a Class A misdemeanor. Theft becomes a state jail felony at $2,500 and climbs to a first-degree felony at $300,000 or more. Prior theft convictions and certain property types can also raise the level.
Theft is a crime of moral turpitude — an offense involving dishonesty. Employers, professional licensing boards, and immigration authorities weigh these convictions heavily, so even a small misdemeanor theft can cost you a job, a license, or your immigration status. That is why avoiding the conviction matters more than the fine.
Yes, it's possible. Cases with intent or valuation problems may be dismissed or reduced, and eligible first-time defendants in Dallas County may qualify for pre-trial diversion that leads to dismissal and expunction eligibility. A conviction generally cannot be expunged, so the goal is a non-theft resolution.
Talk to an attorney first. After a shoplifting allegation, retailers often send a civil demand letter seeking money — separate from the criminal case. Responding or paying can be used as an admission. An attorney can advise you on both the criminal charge and the civil demand.
It depends on the charge level, the county, the complexity, and whether the case goes to trial. We provide a flat-fee written quote before any retainer, with no hourly surprises. Initial consultations are free.
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