Waco Theft Lawyer

Texas theft charges greatly vary in degree and seriousness.  A theft charge may be a class C misdemeanor (basically a traffic citation) all the way up to a first degree felony (life in prison)!  Which theft offense you are charged with depends on several factors, namely the value of what was allegedly taken, whether force was used and whether you entered someone’s home during the commission of a theft. 

A theft charge or shoplifting conviction, can have life-altering consequences.  Therefore if you are charged with theft, it is important to find good legal advice immediately from an experienced attorney who practices law with the utmost compassion towards her clients.  You hear people claim that they have a "no judgment" policy, but from the moment you walk in our door or initiate contact via phone or email, you will see that we implement our no judgment policy in every client interaction and communication.  It is vital that a client feel comfortable sharing what at times, can be very private issues and disclose to his attorney things that he would not even tell his family.

Theft Charges 

Burglary charges can result in several potential punishments. Among them: jail and prison time, fines, and a criminal record that can affect the rest of your life. When in need of information regarding Texas burglary and breaking and entering laws, it’s advisable to get the assistance of knowledgable and experienced burglary attorneys. They can explain burglary vs robbery, and make sure all aspects of your breaking and entering charges are understood. Traditionally, burglary was defined as the breaking and entering of a dwelling house in the nighttime with the specific intent to commit a felony. This definition, known as “common law burglary,” includes the specific meanings of "breaking” and “entering.”  However, Texas has moved away from the common law definition of burglary and has set forth specific definitions that are considered "burglary" under Texas law.

Texas Law on Theft

Under Texas law, a person commits a burglary if he/she does any one of the followng acts:

1. enters a habitation, building, or any part of a building that is not open to the public; without consent of the owner; and intends to commit a felony, theft, or assault.
2. remains concealed in a building or habitation and intends to commit a felony, theft, or assault.
3. enters a building or habitation and committing or attempting to commit a felony, theft, or an assault.

A burglary offense is a felony under Texas law.  However, whether the offense is a first, second or third degree felony dpends on the circumstances of each case.

It is important to understand that under Texas law, "entering" a building or habitation requires only that some part of your body or any object that you are holding or that is otherwise attached to your body enter the building or habitation.  For example, if a person simply puts a flashlight through a window in a building, then that would be considered "entering" a building under Texas law. 

It does not matter whether or not the building is inhabitated or not; however, the punishments are much more serious if the building is inhabitated.  For specific information on burglary of a habitation, burglary of a motor vehicle, or aggravated burglary, see our pages on each offense.

Contact Our Law Firm

If you’re faced with burglary charges, our burglary attorney is here to help you. We know that good people can make bad decisions, and we are experienced with Texas burglary laws and defenses. It is vital to contact a criminal attorney as soon as possible in order to protect your rights and provide you the best possible defense. Call us for a consultation right away. The more time we have to investigate the breaking and entering charges, the better we can prepare your defense.      

Contact Central Texas Criminal Law Today Online or by phone.