Theft, robbery (theft from a person) and burglary (breaking and entering a habitation or building to commit a crime) are all property crimes. They are also considered crimes of dishonesty, which means that an arrest or conviction could have a devastating effect on your future life and opportunities.
If you are charged with a property crime in Bexar County or the San Antonio area, our lawyers offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case, the consequences you face and possible defenses.
Consequences of a Property Crime Conviction
In a world where employers, landlords, lenders and insurance companies increasingly conduct background checks, anyone with a criminal record is at a disadvantage:
- An employer could turn you down for the job simply on the basis of a past arrest or conviction for theft, robbery or burglary.
- A landlord could turn you down as a renter.
- An insurance company could charge you higher rates than someone without a criminal history.
- A college could deny you admission.
- A police officer who pulls you over on a traffic stop could treat you differently from someone who does not have a criminal record.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen, you could face deportation since theft crimes are considered “crimes of moral turpitude.”
Given the consequences, no one should plead guilty to a theft, robbery or burglary charge without talking to a defense lawyer.
Defending You Against Theft, Robbery and Burglary Charges
The goal of the lawyers in any property crime case is to keep your criminal history as clean as possible. If you are a first-time offender, our lawyers may be able negotiate a “deferred adjudication” resolution with regard to the charges. What this means is that if you complete the period of deferred adjudication to the satisfaction of the court, the case against you will be dismissed, allowing you to avoid a conviction. Thereafter, if you are eligible, you may decide to seek an order of nondisclosure from the court, so that you will not have to disclose this particular arrest in the future.
In some property crime cases, the victims may be persuaded to drop charges if you offer restitution (paying them back for their losses). However, you should always let your attorneys handle all negotiations with prosecutors and victims.
One of a handful of criminal defense lawyers in Bexar County who is both Board Certified and qualified to handle cases where the death penalty is involved.
Certified Criminal Law Specialists have experience in the preparation and trial of serious criminal matters. They have extensive knowledge of state and federal constitutional law, evidence, procedure and penal laws involved in these matters.
Only lawyers who are Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization have the right to say they are experts in a particular area of law.
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To schedule a free consultation to discuss your property crime charges with an attorney, call or fill out the contact form on this site. Hablamos español.