Grand Theft Attorney in Angleton

Felony Theft Tiers Under Texas Law

Texas structures felony theft in four value-based categories, each carrying distinct sentencing ranges that courts apply based on the alleged value of the property or service taken.

Theft offense levels by value:

• State jail felony: Property valued from $2,500 to less than $30,000. Punishable by 180 days to two years in state jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Third-degree felony: Property valued from $30,000 to less than $150,000. Punishable by two to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Second-degree felony: Property valued from $150,000 to less than $300,000. Punishable by two to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• First-degree felony: Property valued at $300,000 or more. Punishable by five to ninety-nine years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Aggravating Factors That Can Change the Charge

Dollar value isn’t the only factor that determines whether a theft accusation becomes a felony. Texas law identifies specific circumstances that can elevate charges regardless of what the property is worth.

• Firearm theft is a state jail felony no matter the weapon’s market value.
• Elderly victims (age 65 or older) or a public servant who had access to the property can push the charge to the next higher offense category.
• Prior theft convictions can elevate what would otherwise be a misdemeanor into a state jail felony, even when the alleged value falls below $2,500.
• Use of a deadly weapon or commission of another offense during the theft can also increase the classification and sentencing range.

How Felony Theft Cases Move Through Brazoria County

Misdemeanor theft is charged by a prosecutor-filed information and heard in the Brazoria County Courts at Law. Felony theft follows a different path: the case must be presented to a grand jury, and only after indictment does it proceed to Brazoria County District Court in Angleton.

Our attorneys appear regularly in the Brazoria County Justice Center. That presence gives us working familiarity with how local prosecutors, court staff, and investigators approach these cases. Brazoria County prosecutors apply informal benchmarks that influence how charges are filed, how bail is set, and whether diversion is offered. Knowing that landscape matters at every stage.

Defense Strategies for Felony Theft Charges

Every theft case turns on its own facts, and the right defense depends on what the prosecution can actually prove. We evaluate several recognized defenses when building a case.

• Lack of intent: The prosecution must show the defendant intended to permanently deprive the owner of the property. Without that, the charge may not hold.
• Claim of right: A genuine belief that the property belonged to the defendant can serve as a defense.
• Consent: If the owner permitted the defendant to take or use the property, no theft occurred.
• Mistake of fact: A reasonable belief in facts that, if true, would have made the conduct lawful is a recognized defense under Texas law.
• Unlawful search and seizure: Evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment can be suppressed, which may significantly weaken the prosecution’s case.
• Entrapment: Under Texas Penal Code Section 8.06, a defendant may assert entrapment when law enforcement’s persuasion was likely to cause a person to commit an offense they otherwise wouldn’t have committed.

Beyond these affirmative defenses, we evaluate pretrial alternatives, including plea bargaining and diversion programs, for clients where those options serve their interests.

Why Brazoria County Clients Choose BTR Law

Founded in 2010 by Brooks Bass, Shannon Tigner, and Patton Ritter, our firm brings nearly 100 years of combined legal experience across our practice areas. Clients facing felony theft charges receive support from our attorneys, investigators, and administrative staff throughout the case.

We focus on thorough preparation and strategies built around the specific facts of each client’s situation. Our commitment to Brazoria County and the people who live here shapes how we handle each case we take.

Contact a Grand Theft Lawyer in Angleton Today

A felony theft accusation moves quickly through the system. Early attorney involvement can allow mitigating evidence to reach prosecutors before charging decisions are finalized, and that opportunity may narrow once the case is in motion. If you or someone you know is facing a grand theft or felony theft charge in Angleton or anywhere in Brazoria County, don’t wait to get counsel involved.

Contact BTR Law to schedule a confidential consultation. We can review the charge, discuss the facts of your situation, and outline the defense options available to you.

Call our grand theft attorneys in Angleton at (979) 316-7133 to get started.