{"id":376686,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:55","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/texas-law\/texas-theft-larceny-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-03-29T17:46:26","modified_gmt":"2018-03-29T22:46:26","slug":"texas-theft-larceny-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-theft-larceny-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Texas Theft \/ Larceny Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Texas Theft \/ Larceny Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Overview of Texas Theft\/Larceny Laws<\/h2>\n

A person has committed a theft<\/a> (or larceny<\/a>) if they take property with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. Theft does not only have to be direct taking of another’s property. Theft may be taking property that the defendant already knows to be stolen by someone else.<\/p>\n

Example: Joe owns a pawn shop. Bob enters the shop and sells a necklace to Joe which Joe knows that Bob has stolen from its owner. If Joe takes the necklace, he may be found guilty of theft or larceny.<\/p>\n

In Texas, it may also be considered theft if a person fails to perform some affirmative act which would prove that the item being sold or given to them has not been stolen.<\/p>\n

Example: Sally fails to report to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles that the person who sold her a car failed to turn over to her a properly executed certificate of title (commonly known as a "pink slip"). She may be found to have violated Texas’ law against theft. Also, if Sally fails to file with the county tax collector\/assessor within 20 days of receiving the vehicle, this may also be grounds for finding her guilty of theft.<\/p>\n

The amount or value of the property stolen does not necessarily have to be large in order to be convicted of theft. It can be any amount, large or small.<\/p>\n

Texas Theft\/Larceny Laws Overview<\/h2>\n

Below you\u2019ll find important information about theft\/larceny laws in the great state of Texas. If you have been charged with this crime, you will want to seek out legal advice before entering a plea.<\/p>\n\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Possible Defenses <\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Penalties<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Under Texas theft \/ larceny law, offenders may receive charges varying from a "Class C" misdemeanor for the most minor of thefts, all the way up to a first degree felony for the most serious.<\/p>\n

The following guidelines are generally set for varying degrees of theft based on the amount or value of property taken:<\/p>\n