{"id":376686,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:55","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/texas-law\/texas-theft-larceny-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-07-16T09:56:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T14:56:56","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 Charges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Texas Theft Charges<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\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\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Texas theft charges<\/span> involve the unlawful taking of another person’s property<\/span> with the intent to permanently deprive the owner. These criminal charges<\/span> are classified from Class C misdemeanors<\/span> to first-degree felonies<\/span> based on the stolen property’s value, ranging from items worth $100 or less up to $300,000 or more. Penalties include fines, jail or prison time, and restitution<\/span>. Legal defenses such as lack of intent, mistake of fact, or claim of right may apply.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Theft in Texas is the unlawful appropriation<\/span> of property with the intent to deprive the owner. It occurs when a person takes items without consent or knowingly receives stolen goods. Charges range from Class C misdemeanors<\/span> for shoplifting<\/span> small items to first-degree felonies<\/span> for high-value larceny. Legal consequences include prison time, significant fines, and restitution<\/span>, though defenses like lack of intent or claim of right may apply.<\/p>\n

Every state has its own set of theft laws<\/span><\/a>, outlining the elements of the crime and the penalties for the offense. This is true of Texas as well.<\/p>\n

In general, Texas law<\/span> defines theft as taking property that belongs to another person with the intent of permanently depriving the owner of the property<\/span>. If someone steals another person’s car or SUV and takes it to a “chop shop”, it would qualify as grand theft auto<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article explains Texas’s theft laws<\/span>, including the penalties<\/a>\u200b and defenses to this crime. It also examines the possible defenses to theft in the State of Texas. If you’re facing theft charges<\/span> and are worried about what happens next, contact a local criminal defense attorney<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

How Does Texas Law<\/span> Define Theft?<\/h2>\n

Under the Texas Penal Code<\/span><\/a>, a person is guilty of theft<\/a>\u200b or larceny<\/a>\u200b when they take another person’s property<\/span> with the intent to deprive them of it. In a theft case<\/span>, the prosecutor doesn’t have to prove that the defendant took the property from the victim themselves. It\u2019s sufficient to demonstrate that the defendant took property they knew to be stolen by someone else.<\/p>\n

A person can be guilty of theft if they knowingly receive stolen property or if the circumstances would lead a reasonable person to believe the property was stolen. For example, if Joe offers to sell Mike a car valued at $25,000 for $3,000, the unusually low price and suspicious circumstances should alert Mike that the vehicle might be stolen. In this situation, Mike could be charged with theft if he purchases the car without taking reasonable steps to verify Joe’s ownership.<\/p>\n

The value of the property<\/span> doesn\u2019t need to be large for a defendant to be guilty of theft. The property can be worth any amount, small or large.<\/p>\n

Types of Theft<\/span> and the Potential Penalties<\/span><\/h2>\n

As with many other crimes, Texas’s criminal laws<\/span> classify theft crimes<\/span> by degrees based on the value of the stolen property<\/span>. The more valuable the property, the more serious the crime and the more severe the penalty.<\/p>\n

According to Texas law<\/span>, the levels of theft<\/span> range from a Class C misdemeanor<\/span> to a first-degree felony<\/span>. The specific classifications for theft under the Texas Penal Code<\/span> are as follows:<\/p>\n