Harris County Auto Theft Defense
Houston Criminal Defense Attorneys Fighting for Your Rights, Freedom and Future
Harris County Auto Theft Attorney James Sullivan represents people charged with all types of misdemeanor and felony offenses. If you are charged with any felony crime in the State of Texas, then you need an experienced Harris County criminal lawyer because all felony offenses are serious.
James Sullivan attended the Trial Lawyers College founded by Legendary lawyer Gerry Spence. Sullivan has a proven record of defending people from all walks of life, faiths and countries in courts throughout Texas.
How Is Auto Theft Charged in Texas?
From a legal standpoint, there is no charge for “Auto Theft” or “Grand Theft Auto” because all theft crimes are charged as either misdemeanors or felonies based on the value of the item or items stolen. Since most cars or trucks are worth at least $1,500, it is most likely that you would be charged for a felony offense for stealing a car or other motor vehicle. However, even being charged with stealing an old clunker worth less than $1,500 is a serious misdemeanor crime because any theft conviction of your record can result in the loss of a job or not being able to work in certain professions which require a professional license.
Contact Houston Criminal Defense Attorney James Sullivan at 281-546-6428 for a free confidential consultation.
Is Auto Theft Charged as a Misdemeanor or a Felony?
If the value of the motor vehicle stolen is worth $1,500 or more, you will be charged with a felony offense and will face time in jail, state jail or prison if you are convicted. Depending on the value of the motor vehicle stolen, you will be charged with either a misdemeanor or felony offense:
- The value is $50 or more but less than $500 (class B misdemeanor)
- The value is $500 or more but less than $1,500 (class A misdemeanor)
- The value is $1,500 or more but less than $20,000 (State Jail Felony)
- The value is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000 (3rd Degree Felony)
- The loss is $100,000 or more but less than $200,000 (2nd Degree Felony)
- The loss is $200,000 or more (1st Degree Felony)
If you are charged with a felony, it may be possible for your defense attorney to investigate and present a winning defense at the grand jury level. If successful, this is usually the best way to win a felony case because if the grand jury votes to no bill the case then you have the immediate right to seek an expunction of the charge from your record. Time is of the essence to take this approach because prosecutors either seek an indictment from the grand jury before an arrest warrant is issued or between the first and second court settings. If an experienced defense attorney is not retained early on then the accused may not have an opportunity to do this. Houston Criminal Attorney James Sullivan has a very successful record at winning felony cases at the grand jury level.
If you or a family member has been charged in Harris County with a misdemeanor or felony theft crime, you can call the law office of James Sullivan and Associates right now at 281-546-6428.
Contact a Harris County Criminal Lawyer
James Sullivan & Associates | Houston Texas Auto Theft Attorney
Contact James Sullivan and Associates for a free consultation at 281-546-6428 about your allegations of auto theft in the areas of Harris County (Houston), Montgomery County (Conroe), Fort Bend County (Richmond), Brazoria County (Angleton), Matagorda County (Bay City), Waller County (Hempstead), Washington County (Brenham), Liberty County (Liberty), Chambers County (Anahuac) and Jefferson County (Beaumont).
