Theft Lawyer in Georgetown, TX

If you’ve been accused of any kind of theft, you need to speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. You may be facing more serious charges than you realize in the state of Texas. If you have two prior theft convictions, for example, shoplifting at a grocery store could lead to a serious felony charge.

The Law Office of W. Todd Ver Weire is on your side. Whether you’ve been charged with petty larceny, burglary, or armed robbery, we will help identify holes in the state’s case against you so your charges can get dropped or reduced.

To discuss your charges with an experienced theft lawyer near you, contact our Georgetown, TX criminal defense law firm. Todd Ver Weire and his team are ready to help.

The Legal Definition of Theft in Texas

Per Texas Penal Code §31.03, theft is when a person unlawfully appropriates property without the owner’s consent, with the intent to deprive the owner of said property. It doesn’t matter if the property is recovered or not. It’s up to what they state can prove in terms of your intent, and they will lean heavily upon whether or not you passed the last register, or point of sale, with the items without paying for them.  

Crimes against property cases can stem from numerous situations. Shoplifting, burglary, robbery, embezzlement, passing bad or hot checks, receiving stolen property, or using someone’s vehicle without their permission fall within the category of theft.

Theft charges can carry severe penalties depending on how the property was taken and if a person has a criminal history of theft. You must hire a skilled Georgetown theft attorney as soon as possible to dispute your charges and avoid stiff criminal penalties.

Why Choose Todd Ver Weire as Your Theft Defense Lawyer

Attorney Todd Ver Weire has practiced law for more than 30 years. He’s believed in the importance of service since High School, and that belief was reinforced at the U.S. Military Academy. As a defense attorney for those accused of theft in Georgetown, TX, he will treat you with respect and work with you without judgment.

Criminal Defense from a Former Prosecuting Attorney

Before he became a criminal defense lawyer, Todd served a two-year term as the City Attorney and Prosecutor for Farmington, AR. He learned that many prosecutors want to hammer on every case like it’s the same old nail. As a defense attorney, Todd reminds the prosecution that every theft case is unique. You are not a nail, and Todd repeatedly reminds the prosecutors that they are not a hammer.

Grace Under Fire in High-Pressure Legal Cases

While at West Point, Todd learned how to remain calm under pressure. He also learned to identify the who, what, when, where, why, and how of every situation. This focus on the facts of your theft case means he will not be intimidated by Texas prosecutors.  Rather,this attention to detail puts the State on the back foot.

A Trusted Local Lawyer for Cases Involving Mental Health

Many of Todd’s legal colleagues seek his counsel on complex criminal defense cases that involve a defendant’s mental health. Todd approaches all of these cases with great empathy. He is ready to help those charged with larceny linked to a mental health diagnosis.  Sometimes, it is an undiagnosed mental health condition that causes the behavior.  As such, having an attorney who understands the interplay of mental health and mens rea (legal ease for mental state or intent).  

Defense Counsel for Williamson County DWI and Veteran Courts

As part of his commitment to the local community and giving people second chances, Todd serves as defense counsel for the Williamson County DWI/Drug Court (DDCP) and the Williamson County Veterans Treatment Court (WCVTC). He is proud to assist others as they address needs related to mental well-being, substance abuse, and chemical dependency.

Contact an Experienced Theft Defense Lawyer in Georgetown, TX

When you’re facing the state of Texas, you need a calm and collected fighter as your defense lawyer. Todd Ver Weire is here to be your advocate and provide answers whenever questions arise. Contact the Law Office of W. Todd Ver Weire to set up a case evaluation with an experienced theft defense attorney in Georgetown, TX.

Criminal Penalties for Theft in Texas

The penalties for theft in Texas vary based on what happened, how it happened, and who you’ve been accused of taking property from. When you hire Georgetown theft defense attorney Todd Ver Weire, he’ll help you understand the charges you’re facing, the penalties involved, and discuss ways of getting these charges dropped or reduced.

Misdemeanor Theft Penalties

Per Chapter 12 of the Texas Penal Code, this table outlines the punishments for a misdemeanor theft conviction.

Felony Theft Penalties

This table outlines the punishments for a felony theft conviction.

Theft Penalties Are Not Always What They Seem

The value of the stolen goods or services is just one factor to consider when classifying theft and larceny cases.

For instance, if you’ve been accused of stealing someone’s debit card and withdrawing $80, you may think that is a Class C misdemeanor based on the amount withdrawn. Unfortunately, that is not the case.  

Under Texas Penal Code §32.31, this is considered the fraudulent use of another person’s credit card or debit card, which is a state jail felony. It becomes a felony of the third degree if the alleged victim is an elderly individual.

Furthermore, that catalytic converter that costs all of $250-500 to replace is a State Jail Felony.  It is important to know what was taken, as the value of certain items, such as a catalytic converter, copper, or other protected items or locations, can cause an enhancement in the penalty one faces in a theft case.

Our Georgetown defense law firm can help you understand why you’re facing certain penalties despite the value of the allegedly stolen goods or services.

Harsher Penalties for Multiple Theft Offenses

It’s also important to remember that in Texas, if you have two prior theft convictions on your record, a third theft conviction can be charged as a felony.  Unfortunately, that pack of gum from the local convenience store can result in felony charges if you have two prior theft convictions, even though it costs less than $5.

The Collateral Consequences of a Theft Conviction

If you’ve been convicted of theft, you face more than just the criminal penalties. Your reputation and moral character may be under greater scrutiny. A theft conviction can be used to attack your credibility and trustworthiness. There are myriad ways a theft conviction could be used against you, including:

• Difficulty getting a job due to background checks
• Suspension or revocation of a professional license
• Denial of housing due to your criminal record
• Disqualification from financial aid and other education benefits
• Issues with child custody and visitation agreements

These personal and professional setbacks can affect your income and your future earning potential. Working with a credible theft defense lawyer in Williamson County is your best option to ensure your future.

Avoid Penalties and Setbacks: Contact a Georgetown Theft Attorney Today 

A theft on your criminal record can have life-altering consequences. You need a skilled defense attorney who can help you avoid harsh penalties and long-term setbacks to your career and other plans. The Law Office of W. Todd Ver Weire is here to help. To request a consultation with a proven theft attorney near you, contact our Georgetown, TX criminal defense law firm.

We Can Defend You in Different Kinds of Theft Cases

Theft takes numerous forms. While we cannot go through every form of theft below, rest assured that our law firm can provide sound legal counsel no matter what form of theft you’ve been accused of. Georgetown defense attorney Todd Ver Weire is ready to help you face the state of Texas in court.

Shoplifting Defense

Shoplifting is often considered a petty crime, but it still needs to be taken seriously. The severity of the penalties depends on how much merchandise was allegedly taken from the store at the time of the incident. If the value reaches a certain threshold, you could face a felony.

Further, if you are part of a group of folks (think flash mob) that overwhelm a store and take things, you could be charged for the total value of what was taken under accomplice liability, even though all you got was a t-shirt, or face a separate charge of engaging in organized criminal activity.

When defending clients in shoplifting cases, we can assess whether or not there was actual intent to steal the merchandise. There’s a chance that the product was accidentally placed in a shopping bag or that it was mistakenly not scanned at a self-checkout counter. There may also be issues of mistaken identity based on footage of the alleged shoplifting.

If the person accused of shoplifting is under 18 years old, we can help defend the minor and ensure a youthful infraction does not impact their adult life.

Robbery Defense

Per Texas Penal Code §29.02, robbery is when someone commits theft and, in the process, either threatens bodily harm or commits an act of violence against another person. Robbery is a second-degree felony.

You can be charged with aggravated robbery if you use a deadly weapon, cause serious bodily harm, or if the victim is an elderly person or a disabled person. Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony.

Whether you’re charged with robbery or aggravated robbery, our law firm can build a strong defense based on the facts of what happened and any holes in the state’s case.

Burglary Defense

Per Texas Penal Code §30.02, burglary is when a person enters a business or another person’s property without their consent with the intent of committing theft or other criminal offenses.

If the burglary is committed on a property that is not a home or living space, it is a state jail felony. If the burglary is committed at a pharmacy or clinic with the intent to take a controlled substance, it is a third-degree felony. If the burglary is committed at someone’s home or a place of habitation, it is a second-degree felony.

The intent upon entering a property is key when defending against burglary charges. Todd and his team can go over the circumstances of the entry and whether or not you intended to commit theft.

Auto Theft Defense

When people think of motor vehicle theft, they tend to think of carjacking and grand theft auto. Whether force was used or not, stealing another person’s vehicle is a serious offense.

In Texas, the only Grand Theft Auto you face is the game. Rather, prosecutors will rely upon a variety of statutes to determine what charges you should face. That brand new Mercedes G-Wagon can be a second-degree felony based upon its value, while the 1970 Ford Pinto is a State Jail Felony if charged as Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, as opposed to misdemeanor theft. If you possessed a firearm—don’t have to wave it, just possess it—your charge went up one level.  

Embezzlement Defense

Embezzlement is when an employee is accused of stealing money, property, or any other assets from their employer. This can occur at all kinds of businesses of various sizes.

Examples of embezzlement include a retail worker taking money from the cash register and a white-collar employee transferring company funds into their own personal account.

As with other accusations of theft, our defense team can consider your intent and other factors that may be involved in the incident. Accounting and clerical errors may have been factors in the alleged embezzlement, as well as simple mistakes in handling change during a retail transaction. It is in these types of cases that Todd’s accounting background and attention to detail help find a defense where others may not see it. How things are accounted for is NOT black and white, and depending upon how they are accounted for, it can make a huge difference as to whether a crime occurred or not.

Identity Theft Defense

Per Texas Penal Code §32.51, identity theft is the use of any identifying information to obtain property, initiate the transfer of goods, or defraud others. This covers the use of names, personal identification numbers, account information, Social Security numbers, and even biometric data.

The severity of penalties for identity theft can vary depending on the amount of stolen personal information that was used. There are also harsher penalties if the victim of the identity theft is a senior citizen.

Identity theft cases aren’t open and shut. While discussing what happened, our Georgetown defense law firm can determine the best path forward to avoid severe legal penalties.

The Williamson County Pre-Trial Intervention Program

At the Law Office of W. Todd Ver Weire, we’ll help you explore all options to avoid a serious criminal conviction and collateral punishments related to your alleged crime.

If you’ve been accused of any kind of misdemeanor theft, our defense team may suggest the Williamson County Pre-Trial Intervention Program. This program helps select individuals divert prosecution and have their charges dismissed.

These pre-trial intervention programs are available to veterans, people struggling with addiction, individuals with serious mental health issues, and people with no prior criminal record. We’ll let you know if you may qualify for these programs and what the process involves.

We’re Ready to Listen: Speak with a Georgetown Theft Lawyer Near You

Whether you’ve been charged with shoplifting, robbery, embezzlement, or auto theft, you can count on defense attorney Todd Ver Weire for help. He’s fought for countless clients all over Williamson County, and he isn’t afraid to take on Texas prosecutors. To discuss your situation with a skilled and respected theft lawyer near you, contact our Georgetown, TX criminal defense law firm.