San Antonio Theft Defense Attorney
Fighting for the Criminally Accused
Being charged with theft – even just a minor misdemeanor – can have a profound impact on your future. As a crime of moral turpitude, theft can irreparably damage your reputation and your professional relationships. Having a theft conviction on your record may affect your personal relationships, too.
At The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC, we understand how stressful it can be to find yourself up against the criminal justice system. With years of legal experience, Attorney Derek Ritchie knows how to craft thoughtful and effective defense strategies for those facing theft charges. You can count on our theft defense attorney in San Antonio to fight for you tirelessly and to protect your rights above all else.
Call our criminal defense firm today at (210) 702-2203 or online to request a free and confidential consultation.
What are the 3 Elements of a Crime
Theft is considered a property crime that involves three key elements:
- Unlawfully taking someone else’s property
- Taking property without the owner’s consent
- Taking property from someone with the intent to deprive them of their own property
Theft can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. The value of the stolen property dictates the degree of the charge.
At The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC, we defend against all degrees of theft, including:
- Class C misdemeanor theft: Stealing property valued at less than $50. The punishment is no more than a $500 fine.
- Class B misdemeanor theft: Stealing property valued between $50 and $500 or stealing a driver’s license or ID card. The punishment is no more than 180 days in jail and no more than $2,000 in fines.
- Class A misdemeanor theft: Stealing property valued between $500 and $1,500. The punishment is no more than one year in jail and up to $4,000 in fines.
- State jail felony theft: Stealing property valued between $1500 and $20,000 or stealing a firearm or livestock worth less than $20,000. The punishment is between 180 days and two years in jail plus a fine of up to $10,000.
- Third-degree felony theft: Stealing property valued between $20,000 and $100,000 or stealing livestock valued at $100,000 or less. The punishment is 2 to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
- Second-degree felony theft: Stealing property valued between $100,000 and $200,000. The punishment is 2 to 20 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
- First-degree felony theft: Stealing property worth more than $200,000. The punishment is between 5 and 99 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
At The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC, we know that the unexpected costs associated with a criminal defense case can be overwhelming.