What Happens if you get Caught Shoplifting in Austin?

An Austin shoplifting case can result in an arrest, criminal prosecution, a permanent criminal conviction, and jail in some circumstances. Shoplifting is the criminal offense Theft and has a different penalty depending on the dollar amount involved. Even a petty Theft case can impose significant collateral consequences for professionals and students in Austin. Learn more.

• What is the law on shoplifting in Austin Texas? Shoplifting in Austin is prosecuted as Theft which prohibits unlawfully taking property with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. Texas Penal Code 31.03 determines the punishment level by the value of the property:
  • Class C misdemeanor if the property value is less than $100
    
  • Class B misdemeanor if property value $100 – $750
    
  • Class A misdemeanor if property value $750 – $2500
    
  • State Jail felony if property value $2,500 – $30,000
    
  • Third degree felony if property value $30,000 – $150,000
    
  • Second degree felony if property value $150,000 – $300,000
    
  • First degree felony if property value $300,000 or more.

• What do people do if they catch you shoplifting in Austin, Texas? Shoplifters in Austin can be arrested and immediately subject to onerous pretrial conditions like drug testing with Travis County Community Justice Services. Additionally, department stores frequently ban shoplifters from returning to their premises. All theft cases can result in significant fines and severe collateral consequences for Austin professionals and students. Learn more.

DOES AUSTIN TEXAS PROSECUTE SHOPLIFTERS?

Yes, all Theft offenses are prosecuted in Austin, Texas, including class C Theft involving less than $100. Austin loss prevention officials employ effective detection techniques and advanced surveillance to help it combat theft. Theft is a crime of moral turpitude that can have severe effects for professional career prospects. Learn more.

• What usually happens to first time shoplifters in Austin? Even first-time shoplifting cases are subject to criminal arrest, costly fines, and permanent criminal convictions. An effective Theft defense can leverage weaknesses in the prosecution case to effectively employ mitigation strategies and secure a dismissal or reduction of charges. Learn more.

• How long after shoplifting can you be caught in Austin? Austin law enforcement authorities can arrest a shoplifter at any time so long as the Statute of Limitations hasn’t expired. A Statute of Limitation is a time limit for the filing of criminal cases in Texas, which is 2 years for misdemeanor Theft and 5 years for felony Theft. Learn more.

CAN YOU GET SHOPLIFTING OFF YOUR RECORD IN AUSTIN?

Yes, shoplifting cases can be removed from criminal records in Austin through the legal process of Expunction. However, generally only cases resolved through pretrial diversion programs and cases dismissed without probation will qualify for an Expunction. Expunction is a powerful tool that can delete all records of an arrest and legally entitle an offender to deny all knowledge of the expunged case. Learn more.

• How long does Theft stay on your record in Austin? Theft cases stay permanently on Austin criminal records even when dismissed. However some Theft cases may qualify for an Expunction, which destroys all records of the case, or nondisclosure, which seals the public record. Learn more.

• How much do you have to steal to go to jail in Austin? All theft cases are subject to arrest, including class C misdemeanor theft involving less than $100. However, only Theft cases involving $100 or more are punishable by jail. For example, class B misdemeanor theft carries a maximum 6 month jail sentence.

IS THEFT UNDER 100 A MISDEMEANOR IN AUSTIN?

Yes, Theft under $100 is a criminal class C misdemeanor offense in Austin punishable by a maximum $500 fine. However, even a class C Theft can result in a permanent conviction that can adversely affect professional career prospects. An experienced Theft attorney can build an effective defense to secure a reduction or a dismissal to avoid these consequences. Learn more.

• What is the fine for Theft under $100 in Austin? Theft under $100 is a class C misdemeanor carrying a maximum $500 fine in Austin and no contemplation of jail time as punishment. However, Austin police can still conduct an arrest for class C Theft and individuals who disregard court requirements are subject to arrest warrants. Learn more.

• What dollar amount is Theft in Austin? Theft of any dollar amount can result in an arrest, criminal charges, and potential jail time. Theft is a crime of moral turpitude that can impose significant collateral consequences for all individuals in Austin, especially students, professionals, and immigrants.

IS STEALING 500 DOLLARS A FELONY IN AUSTIN?

Stealing $500 is not a felony in Austin, but it is punishable as a class B misdemeanor. A class B misdemeanor theft carries a maximum 6 month jail sentence and a maximum $2000 fine. 

• How much can you steal before it is a felony in Austin? Stealing at least $2,500 will subject an individual to felony Theft charges in Austin.

WHAT IS A CLASS C THEFT CHARGE IN AUSTIN?

Stealing property valued less than $100 will subject an individual to a class C theft charge in Austin. Class C misdemeanor theft is a criminal offense with a maximum $500 fine. Class C Theft is the lowest-level Theft in Texas but can still result in arrest and a permanent conviction with severe consequences. Learn more.

• How much is petty Theft in Austin? Petty Theft is generally any theft involving nominal monetary value. For example, a class C misdemeanor involving less than $100 is a petty theft offense. No Theft case is insignificant, however, as even petty theft can impose adverse collateral consequences. Learn more.

• What is the highest punishment for Theft in Austin? First degree felony theft involving property valued at least $300,000 can result in a life prison sentence and maximum $10,000 fine. A person can also be required to pay restitution in the amount equal to the stolen property.

WHAT ARE THE DEGREES OF THEFT IN AUSTIN?

Austin Theft cases are punishable at all criminal offense levels under the Texas Penal Code as follows:

• • Class C misdemeanor if the property value is less than $100
    
  • Class B misdemeanor if property value $100 – $750
    
  • Class A misdemeanor if property value $750 – $2500
    
  • State Jail felony if property value $2,500 – $30,000
    
  • Third degree felony if property value $30,000 – $150,000
    
  • Second degree felony if property value $150,000 – $300,000
    
  • First degree felony if property value $300,000 or more.

• What is 1st degree felony Theft in Austin? Stealing property valued at least $300,000 will subject an individual to first degree felony Theft charges in Austin. First degree felony Theft carries a term of imprisonment of 5 to 99 years or life and a maximum $10,000 fine. Additionally, defendants facing first degree felony Theft charges can be required to pay restitution in an amount equal to the stolen property.
• What dollar amount is a felony in Austin? Theft of any property worth at least $2,500 will result in a felony Theft charge in Austin. Felony charges all carry a maximum $10,000 fine and defendants are often required to pay monetary restitution of the amount stolen.

CAN I GET CAUGHT FOR SOMETHING I SHOPLIFTED 3 WEEKS AGO?

Yes, a person can be arrested for 3-week old theft. Austin police investigations are diligent and it can often take several weeks for them to follow all leads, identify a suspect, and obtain an arrest warrant. Surveillance cameras are prevalent throughout Austin and police often employ facial recognition technology to identify suspects long after an incident.

• How often do shoplifters get caught in Austin? People are arrested for shoplifting everyday in Austin and throughout Texas. The rise of surveillance and facial recognition technology allows police to aggressively target shoplifters in Austin.

• What happens if you shoplift but return the item in Austin? People who return stolen items can still be charged with Theft in Austin. However, this can be a useful fact for building an effective Theft defense and securing a dismissal of all charges in Austin. Learn more.

HOW DO STORES KNOW IF YOU STOLE SOMETHING IN AUSTIN?

Stores in Austin employ powerful surveillance technology and teams specifically trained and dedicated to loss prevention. Store evidence can also be cross-referenced with Police-records and forensic techniques to identify shoplifting suspects in Austin. 

• Is concealing an item shoplifting in Austin? Loss prevention specifically looks for people attempting to conceal items to zero in on shoplifting suspects. This is often the red flag that can lead to detention and arrest on Theft charges in Austin. The act of concealing an item from its rightful owner can also be Theft if done to deprive the owner of the property.

• How do I drop a Theft charge in Austin? An experienced Theft attorney can identify weaknesses in the prosecution case to build an effective defense and mitigation strategy. These can be employed to reduce, dismiss, and resolve a theft case without conviction in Austin. Learn more.

WHAT IS A CLASS C MISDEMEANOR IN AUSTIN?

Class C misdemeanor is a classification of fine-only criminal offenses in Austin. A class C misdemeanor is usually prosecuted at the municipal court level by the City Attorney’s office in Austin. Class C misdemeanors are common offenses in Austin but can still impose significant consequences. Learn more.

• Does criminal record clear 7 years in Austin? Criminal records do not clear after 7 years in Austin. Texas criminal cases are permanent and do not go away even when dismissed. However, some Austin criminal cases may qualify for an Expunction or nondisclosure. Learn more.

• Do misdemeanors go away in TX? Misdemeanor cases do not automatically go away in Austin, TX. Misdemeanors are permanent criminal cases that stay on criminal records even when dismissed. However, some criminal cases may be deleted through Expunction, or publically sealed by an order of nondisclosure. Learn more.

HOW DO YOU DEFEND YOURSELF WHEN ACCUSED OF STEALING IN AUSTIN?

The best way to beat a Theft case in Austin is with an experienced Theft lawyer. A skilled Austin theft lawyer can help build an effective defense, identifying weaknesses in the prosecution case to secure a dismissal. A Theft lawyer can also work with defendants to build effective mitigation strategies to obtain reductions and favorable plea scenarios.

• What are the chances of getting caught shoplifting after leaving store? There are very real chances of getting caught shoplifting after leaving a store. Loss prevention officials do not alway immediately detain Theft suspects. They often turn over their evidence to Austin police and allow them to build a solid case so they can later make an arrest.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET CAUGHT SHOPLIFTING AT WALMART IN AUSTIN?

Walmart regularly prosecutes and issues store bans to shoplifters in Austin. Walmart dedicates significant resources to surveillance cameras to help it effectively combat theft.. People facing Walmart Theft charges in Austin are subject to severe consequences, including fines, permanent criminal convictions, and jail time in some circumstances.

• What happens to first time shoplifters at Walmart in Austin? Even first-time shoplifters at Walmart in Austin are subject to full criminal consequences, including jail and thousands of dollars in fines. Walmart runs an effective loss prevention program that results in many shoplifting arrests. First-time shoplifters in Austin should contact an experienced Theft attorney to help guide them through the legal process.

• Can Walmart prosecute you for item less than $50 dollars in Austin? Yes, Walmart prosecutes all Theft cases in Austin, including class C misdemeanor theft of items worth less than $100. Class C theft is punishable by a maximum $500 fine only but can still incur costly collateral consequences for all individuals in Austin, including professionals, teachers, and students. Learn more.

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Trey Porter is a dynamic advocate, nationally recognized for his work in Criminal Defense. He has been voted by his peers as a best lawyer in the field of Criminal and DWI Defense every year since 2015. Recognized by SuperLawyers, Mr. Porter has also been distinguished as a Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Porter holds a Superb rating from AVVO, where attorneys are rated based on skillful litigation, client satisfaction, peer endorsements, and positive results. Learn more.