Theft Defense Attorney in Waco, Texas
Theft and Shoplifting Charges
Even a Small Theft Charge Calls for a Careful Defense
Under Texas law, theft means taking property without the owner's consent and with intent to deprive the owner of it. It covers shoplifting, keeping property you were supposed to return and receiving stolen goods. The offense level depends mostly on value, so cases range from a ticket to a first degree felony.
A theft conviction is treated as a crime of dishonesty and can follow you into job applications, licensing and immigration files. Abogados Vasquez Law Firm reviews the video, receipts, statements and value evidence. We negotiate with the prosecutor and represent you in the McLennan County courts, in English or Spanish. Call (254) 900-7947.
What We Handle
How We Help With Theft Charges
The Texas Theft Value Ladder
Texas grades theft by property value. Under $100 is a Class C misdemeanor, a fine-only offense. From $100 to under $750 is Class B, from $750 to under $2,500 is Class A, and from $2,500 to under $30,000 is a state jail felony. Larger amounts are third, second and first degree felonies.
Enhancements That Raise the Charge
A prior theft conviction can move a low-value case up a level, and two or more priors can turn a small theft into a state jail felony. Theft from a person 65 or older is generally raised one category, and firearms and livestock have their own rules. We check whether the alleged enhancement applies.
Shoplifting and Store Demand Letters
Shoplifting cases usually begin with a loss prevention officer and Waco Police. A letter may then arrive under the Texas Theft Liability Act. That law generally lets a store seek its actual loss plus up to $1,000 in additional damages, court costs and its attorney's fees. Paying that separate civil claim does not end the criminal charge, so talk to us before you respond.
Immigration and Employment Consequences
Federal immigration law generally treats theft as a crime involving moral turpitude. Depending on the facts, a conviction can make a noncitizen inadmissible, removable or ineligible for a green card, DACA or naturalization. Employers and licensing boards often treat theft as a dishonesty offense. We also handle immigration cases and weigh those consequences before any plea.
Building Your Defense
Theft cases turn on details: whether you intended to keep the property, whether the owner consented and whether the value figure reflects the property's fair market value. How police detained and questioned you matters too. We request surveillance video, receipts and loss prevention reports, challenge weak value evidence and then advise you on a plea or trial.
Our Process
What to Expect
- 1
Consultation
We listen to what happened, review the charging documents, bond conditions and any court dates you already have, and explain how a criminal case moves through McLennan County.
- 2
Investigation and Review
We obtain the police reports, video and lab results through discovery, identify the legal issues in the stop, search or arrest, and gather what helps your side.
- 3
Resolution or Trial
We talk with the prosecutor about what the evidence supports, advise you honestly on every offer, and are prepared to try the case before a judge or jury when that is the right path.
What to Expect
Class C theft is heard in municipal or justice court. Class A and B cases go to the McLennan County courts at law, and felonies to the district courts. We obtain the state's evidence and look for problems with the detention or the value figure.
Your Waco Defense Attorney
Work With an Attorney Who Will Stand Beside You in Court
Luis VasquezCo-Managing Attorney
Luis Vasquez grew up in Waco and returned home after practicing in Austin and San Antonio. He knows the courts of McLennan County and handles your case personally, in English or Spanish.
You will talk to the attorney, not a call center, and you will always know what is happening with your case and what your next court date requires.
Where We Serve
Serving Waco and Central Texas
Our office is on Lake Air Drive in Waco, a short drive from downtown, Baylor University and the McLennan County Courthouse. We serve clients across Waco, Bellmead, Woodway, Hewitt, Robinson, Lorena, McGregor, West and the surrounding communities of McLennan County, as well as Temple, Killeen, Hillsboro and the rest of Central Texas. Consultations are available in person, by phone or by video, in English or Spanish.
Waco Office
Talk to an Attorney Today
Call our Waco office and speak with our bilingual team in English or Spanish.
Se Habla Español
- Hours: Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Office: 1215 Lake Air Dr, Waco, TX 76710
Get directions
FAQ
Theft Defense FAQs
Is shoplifting a serious charge in Texas?
Yes. Shoplifting under $100 is a Class C ticket, but a conviction is still a theft record that can surface in background checks and immigration applications. Higher values or prior convictions raise the level.
What if I did not mean to take anything?
The state must prove intent to deprive the owner. Forgetting an item under the cart, a self-checkout error or a genuine belief you had permission can all matter. We compare the footage with what you actually said.
Should I talk to store security or the police?
Once police arrest you, you generally must give your name, but you do not have to explain what happened. Anything you say in the store office can be used in court. You can ask for a lawyer and need not sign any statement before speaking with one.
Will a theft conviction affect my immigration status?
It can. For immigration purposes, even deferred adjudication generally counts as a conviction, so a plea that looks harmless in state court can still cause problems. Tell us your status at the first meeting so any plea accounts for it.
Can a theft charge be removed from my record?
Sometimes. A dismissal or an acquittal may qualify for an expunction, which erases the arrest record. Completing deferred adjudication may qualify for an order of nondisclosure, which seals the record from most private employers.
Contact Us
Start With a Consultation
Whether you were hurt in an accident, need help with an immigration matter or are facing a criminal charge, the first step is a conversation. Tell us what happened, and we will explain your options in plain language, in English or Spanish.
Call (254) 900-7947 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and talk with our bilingual team. Se habla español.
Call Us Today
(254) 900-7947Call (254) 900-7947Se Habla Español
- Hours: Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Office: 1215 Lake Air Dr, Waco, TX 76710
Get directions