In Texas, if you are charged with a theft crime, the outcome of your criminal case may have long-lasting consequences.
It is one of a unique group of criminal charges in which the stigma attached to your criminal record in practically every case is worse than any punishment if you are convicted or get deferred. Furthermore, the judicial system and several governmental agencies view theft as a "crime of moral terptitude." This can create many issues from immigration ramifcations to professional licensing denial or suspension such as being a health care, law enforcement, or legal professional.
Trying to explain a theft-related crime on your criminal record can be very difficult whether it was a pack of chewing gum or an expensive car that you have been accused of wrongfully taking. Think of the challanges you may face 15 years from now in applying for a job handling money when your competition won't spend 5 minutes of the interview talking about a previous theft charge -- but you will!
One of the worst mistakes you can make if you have been charged with theft is to do nothing because you don't think you can win, or it was a prank, or someone else really did it and you just happened to be there.
In Collin County, Texas, where I practice, in some instances, I have seen juries be extremely compassionate to persons accused of theft. The State must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt and your lawyer can help you get an acquittal if the State can't meet its burden regardless of what happened. Theft charges must typically be aggressively defended.
Even if the case is very complex, there may be several options to decrease the severity of your situation. However, these options may be legally complicated. A theft charge is no time to learn how to be a lawyer on your own.
