Whataburger Thefts

Law enforcement in Cross Roads recently discovered a large quantity of the small plastic tents that display order numbers at the Whataburger fast food restaurant. It is reported that law enforcement had more numbers in their possession than the Whataburger restaurant location that reported the theft. A warning was then issued on Facebook that teenagers could potentially be cited for theft of property if they are caught stealing these numbers. Some individuals report that this type of activity has occurred in the Denton area for many years. Each year, a number of individuals in the state of Texas are charged with theft-related offenses. If you are charged with theft, you should quickly retain strong legal representation.

Theft Classifications

In the state of Texas, theft refers to any crime that involves intentionally taking the property of another person for the purpose of depriving that individual of the property. Theft-related offenses can include a variety of different crimes including: burglary, embezzlement, fraud, money laundering, motor vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, robbery, and shoplifting.

Potential Consequences of a Theft Conviction

In Texas, theft charges are divided into several different categories which include the following:

  • Property Less than $1,500. Theft involving less than $1,500 is classified as a misdemeanor with the exception of cases that involve crimes like burglary or robbery.
  • Property Between $1,500 and $20,000. Theft cases that fall in this category can either be prosecuted as felonies that are punishable by up to two years and a $10,000 fine.
  • Property Between $20,000 to $100,000. These types of theft offenses are classified as felonies that can result in up to 10 years in prison and additional fines.
  • Property Between $100,000 to $200,000. Theft of this type of amount is classified as a second degree felony that can result in individuals facing up to 20 years in prison and fines.
  • Property Over $200,000 in Value. Property of this value result in individuals facing up to a 99-year prison sentence in addition to significant fines.

No matter what type of theft charge an individual receives, there is a risk that a theft conviction will create obstacles for an individual who wishes to pursue new education or career options.

Contact a Talented Denton Defense Attorney

Defending against a theft charge frequently requires the assistance of a skilled attorney. If a defendant is caught with stolen property in his or her possession, strong legal representation will likely still be able to create a potential defense. If you are charged with any type of theft offense in Denton or the surrounding area, contact a skilled criminal defense attorney like the legal counsel at Wheeler Law Office. We understand the applicable laws concerning theft in the state of Texas and will fight to make sure that you receive strong legal representation.

(image courtesy of Andreas Praefcke)