Accused of auto theft in Houston, TX? Joseph Gagliardi, an experienced criminal defense attorney, will fight for your rights and defend you against any and all accusations of auto theft or “Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle”.
Regardless of whether you’ve been accused of a misdemeanor theft offense or a felony theft offense, we’re ready to review the details of the situation and work with you.
Auto Theft & Texas Criminal Law
There are no specific criminal charges of “unauthorized use of motor vehicle”, “auto theft”, or “grand theft auto” in the state of Texas.
In the state of Texas auto thefts are handled as general theft crimes with a penal severity in line with the value of the merchandise stolen.
Penalties for Theft in Texas
| TEXAS THEFT PENALTY CHART |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | CLASS | PENALTY | MAX FINE |
| Less Than $50 |
Class C Misdemeanor |
Fine | $500 |
| $50 - $500 |
Class B Misdemeanor | Up to 180D County Jail | $2,000 |
| $500 - $1,500 |
Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1YR County Jail | $4,000 |
| $1,500 - $20,000 |
State Jail Felony | 180D to 2YR State Jail | $10,000 |
| $20,000.00 - $100K |
3rd Degree Felony |
2 to 10 Years TDCJ |
$10,000 |
| $100K - $200K |
2nd Degree Felony |
2 to 20 Years TDCJ |
$10,000 |
| Over $200K |
1st Degree Felony |
5 to 99 Years TDCJ |
$10,000 |
In other words, stealing a 70,000.00 Porche or Jaguar would be a felony offense while stealing an old vehicle that’s worth less than 1,500.00 would be a misdemeanor offense. Merchandise included in the vehicle may also contribute to an enhancement of the criminal charges.
Arrested for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in Houston?
Attorney Joseph Gagliardi is on your side. Call 713-224-6277 for help.
Auto Theft: A Focus of the Houston Police Dept.
Although there no specific charges for auto theft, in Houston, auto-theft has become a major focus of law enforcement and has even gained the attention of the Mayor’s office and the Chief of the Houston Police Department. The Houston Police Department has a division dedicated to combating auto theft, chop shops, and other vehicle related crimes like fraudulent inspection stickers and VIN number tampering.
Attorney Joseph Gagliardi Will Help You
Regardless of the severity of the case, keeping your name free and clear of a theft record is the most important concern for The Gagliardi Law Firm, PLLC.
Criminal background checks will show a theft on your record if you’re convicted of such an offense which will hinder many professional and career related ambitions you may have now or in the future.
Whether charges where filed by law enforcement because you took a relative’s vehicle out for joyriding, or a loved one that didn’t know you borrowed their automobile called the police, the Harris County D.A.’s office is likely to pursue the case and seek the highest form of punishment allowed by the law.
As your criminal defense counsel, we’ll see to it that your rights are protected and will fight for your freedom.