We’re not your average criminal defense firm. Our San Antonio team brings unmatched firepower and experience:
We proudly serve clients in Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Medina, Kendall, and Wilson counties.
Penalties for Theft Charges in San Antonio
Chapter 31 of the Texas Penal Code defines theft as “the unlawful appropriation of property with intent to deprive the owner.”
The severity of the charge depends on:
- The value of the stolen property
- Prior criminal history
- Specific circumstances (e.g., who the victim was, or the type of property)
Here’s how theft charges and penalties break down for a first-time offender:
|
Amount
|
Criminal charge
|
Maximum penalty
|
|
Less than $100
|
Class C misdemeanor
|
$500 fine
|
|
$100 to $750
|
Class B misdemeanor
|
180 days in jail; $2,000 fine
|
|
$750 to $2,500
|
Class A misdemeanor
|
One year in jail; $4,000 fine
|
|
$2,500 to $30,000
|
State jail felony
|
Two years in jail; $10,000 fine
|
|
$30,000 to $150,000
|
Third-degree felony
|
10 years in prison; $10,000 fine
|
|
$150,000 to $300,000
|
Second-degree felony
|
20 years in prison; $10,000 fine
|
|
$300,000 or more
|
First-degree felony
|
99 years in prison; $10,000 fine
|
Source: Texas Penal Code, Chapter 31
Enhanced penalties may apply if:
- The stolen item was a firearm, livestock, ATM, or valuable metal (copper, brass, etc)
- The victim was an elderly person, a nonprofit, or a government entity
- The theft involved tampering with safety systems (e.g., disabling fire alarms or security tags)
Common Property Crimes in Bexar County
Not all theft charges involve taking something by force. Even intent alone can be sufficient to warrant charges. Our firm handles all types of theft-related offenses in San Antonio:
Shoplifting / Theft (§31.03)
Shoplifting is the most common theft offense in San Antonio, including tactics like tag switching, concealment, and walking out without paying. According to data from the Texas Department of Public Safety, 57,840 people were arrested for larceny-theft in Bexar County in 2024.
Motor Vehicle Theft
San Antonio consistently ranks among the top Texas cities for auto theft. In 2024, 14,625 people were charged with motor vehicle theft in the San Antonio area. Due to the high value of the property, auto theft often results in felony charges.
Robbery (§29.02)
Robbery involves theft plus bodily injury or the threat of violence. It’s a violent felony with serious consequences. In 2024, Bexar County saw 1,851 robbery arrests.
Burglary (§30.02)
Burglary refers to unlawfully entering a building to commit theft or another felony. All burglary charges are felonies, and home burglaries are punished especially harshly. There were 9,093 burglary cases in Bexar County in 2024.
Burglary of a Vehicle (§30.04)
Even reaching into a car window to steal something can be charged as burglary. A third offense is automatically upgraded to a felony.
READ MORE: How to get theft charges dropped in Texas
Strategic Defense from an Experienced Legal Team
When you hire Michael & Associates, you gain access to a comprehensive legal team, not just a single attorney. Our San Antonio attorneys bring experience from both sides of the courtroom — we have three former prosecutors, one former judge, and a fluent Spanish speaker. This wide range of experience gives us a distinct advantage when building your defense.
Our defense strategies may include working to prove:
- Lack of intent – You didn’t mean to steal anything
- Mistake of fact – You believed the property was yours
- Coerced confession – You were pressured to admit guilt
- Consent – You had permission to take or use the item
- Duress – You were threatened or forced to commit the crime
- Insufficient evidence – The state’s case is weak or incomplete
- Entrapment – You were set up by law enforcement
- Juvenile cases – We focus on rehabilitation over punishment
Whether it was a misunderstanding, false accusation, or poor judgment, we’re here to protect your rights and future.
