Some of the most common forms of theft occur in the workplace. However, there are two instances that stand out above the rest.

Employee Theft

As a criminal defense firm in Houston, we often see cases of employee theft. In this situation, our client faces charges of stealing from their employer in some way. Unfortunately, Harris County has a specific policy regarding this offense.

Oftentimes, a conviction results in either jail time (even for a first-time offender) or an extended probation period. Ultimately, these plea bargains mean you agree to a conviction, which brands you with the stigma of the label “thief.”

With a Houston theft lawyer on your side, you have an advocate to fight against this policy. At our firm, we fight to defend you and preserve your rights.

Shoplifting

Everyone thinks of shoplifting in a few different ways. For some, it’s a high school kid stealing something minor from a store. Alternatively, people might associate it with a “crime wave” in certain areas as desperate people attempt to steal home goods.

Additionally, shoplifting is a common term for “theft” and “petty theft.” Typically, this is when someone steals or attempts to steal, items or cash from a store. Usually, the State is lenient on these in comparison to employee theft.
However, it’s always important to fight the charges against you. In addition to a criminal record, these charges carry significant consequences, both of which impact your future.
To get assistance with your case, contact a Houston theft lawyer at Nguyen & Chen today.

When you have a misdemeanor or felony conviction on your record, it makes life difficult in several different ways. Often, it makes it more difficult to secure a loan, find a place to live, or get hired at a new job. Additionally, prior convictions have an impact on the consequences of your case.

This is true when you face a conviction for an array of charges.

• DWI or DUI
• Domestic violence
• Theft

Typically, this impacts the severity of your sentence, leading to more severe charges and steeper fines.

Unfortunately, a criminal record also gives others leverage in civil cases. Often, the other side uses this record to cast doubts about your character and whether you are trustworthy or reliable.

If you face charges of any kind, it is crucial that you seek out legal representation. With a Houston theft lawyer on your side, you have someone to pursue the best possible outcome in your case.

In a theft case, there are certain factors that result in enhanced consequences. If your case involves specific aggravating factors, it elevates the penalties to the next higher category of the offense.

For example, if you set of an alarm in a Class C misdemeanor theft, it elevates to a Class B misdemeanor.

Here are a handful of factors that aggravate your case. If you have any questions about your legal situation, it is vital that you seek the assistance of a Houston theft lawyer.

• Deactivating or blocking a fire exit or theft detector
• Activating a fire alarm exit in the midst of the offense
• Using a shield or instrument to prevent or attempt to prevent detection by a theft detector
• When the alleged offender is a Medicare provider in a contract with the federal government at the time of the offense and property is stolen through the contractual relationship
• The property owner is an elderly person
• Property stolen by virtue of status as a public service
• Owner of the stole property is a nonprofit organization
• The alleged offender had a contractual relationship with the government and stole property by virtue of that relationship

When you face aggravated charges of theft, you need an experienced Houston theft lawyer to protect your rights, your freedom, and your future. Schedule a free case evaluation with our firm today.