Do I need an Attorney for a Theft Case in Texas?

February 10, 2010

By Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

texasdefensefirm.com

(972) 369-0577

Yes, even if they’re accusing you of taking a penny.

Being convicted or even getting deferred adjudication on a theft case is bad news in Texas.  There are countless unseen consequences.

It is one of a handful of charges that the stigma attached to your criminal record in practically every case is worse than any punishment if you are convicted or get deferred.

Not only that, but the judicial system and many governmental agencies consider theft to be a “crime of moral terptitude.”  This can cause wide ranging problems from immigration consequences to professional licensing denial or suspension such as being a doctor, lawyer, or any other job that requires a license such as nursing or being a real estate agent.

Explaining a theft away on your criminal record is a hard thing to do whether it was a pack of chewing gum or gold bullion they accused you of taking.  Think of the disadvantage you’ll have 15 years from now in applying for a job handling money when your competition won’t spend 5 minutes of the interview talking about a previous theft charge — but you will!

The worst mistake you can make if you have been charged with theft is to blow it off because perhaps you don’t think you can win, or it was a prank, or someone else really did it and you just happened to be there and you think you can explain it away later.

In Collin County, Texas, where I practice, I have seen juries be tremendously compassionate to persons accused of theft and acquit them.  The State must prove their case beyond all reasonable doubt and a good lawyer will demand the jury acquit you if the State can’t meet their burden regardless of what happened.  Theft charges must typically be aggressively defended. Even if the case is very difficult, there may be other options to lessen the blow but those are legally complex.  A theft charge is no time to learn how to be a lawyer on your own!

*Jeremy Rosenthal is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas. Nothing in this article is intended to be specific legal advice.  For legal advice, consult an attorney.


How do I select a lawyer in a Criminal case?

February 8, 2010

By Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

jeremy@texasdefensefirm.com

(972) 369-0577

In Texas, if you have been charged with an offense you have three basic choices.  You have the choice to plead guilty or not guilty, the choice to testify on your own behalf, and the choice to select a judge or jury to asses punishment if trial is unsuccessful.  These are not simple choices, fun choices,  or easy choices.

Your lawyer should be able to give you as complete a picture as possible with regards to the facts, the law, and the probable outcomes so that you are comfortable making these important decisions.  Additionally, your lawyer should make it their business to be a skilled advocate for trial and/or dealing with the prosecutor or law enforcement.  You need to be comfortable with your attorney and no one attorney is perfect for everyone.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions in your consultation.  Appropriate questions are how many times an attorney has handled this type of case, what percentage of this type of case comprises their current case-load, and how often do they take cases to trial?  These simple questions can tell you a lot about the lawyer such as their willingness and ability to explore every angle of your case.

Some lawyers can be very aggressive in their rhetoric but no lawyer can guarantee you results in any circumstance.  Be very leery of lawyers who do.  You can ask a lawyer their ‘win-loss’ record, but don’t expect many revealing answers.  Cases, people, and their legal situations are like snowflakes.  Sometimes victory means complete acquittal and an expunction and sometimes victory means dodging a legal bullet to the head and taking a flesh wound instead.  Our profession is one of managing countless variables and cramming it into ‘win-loss’ context really doesn’t give anyone an accurate picture.  When I get asked that question, I joke with people that I’m trying to make the playoffs!

Finally, don’t be afraid to visit multiple lawyers.  Attorneys that are good at what they do shouldn’t be bothered by this.  This is your critical decision, after all.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas. He is a Super Lawyer as designated by Thomson Reuters.  www.texasdefensefirm.com


What is an Expunction in Texas?

February 7, 2010

By Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

(972) 369-0577

jeremy@texasdefensefirm.com

A criminal arrest record can be like the legal equivalent of cancer.  It can cost you a job, a promotion at work, or countless other opportunities.  The damage is done when someone hears about the arrest.  Most aren’t interested in details that you were acquitted or the charges were dropped.

An expunction is the legal equivalent of curing the cancer that is a criminal arrest.  A state district judge orders the records stemming from a criminal arrest destroyed.  This includes records which were part of the arrest or that reference the arrest such as court records, the district attorney’s file, and even transcripts of the trial.  When people refer to having something “taken off” their record, an expunction is generally what they mean.  This also means that the state’s agencies can’t give information about your these arrests to private companies who gather criminal data for distribution for private background checks.  Tex.C.Crim.P. § 55.03(2) even allows for a person with an expunction to “deny the occurrence of the arrest…” in certain circumstances.  The code has specific details you should be aware of for that provision.

What is unknown by most is qualifying for an expunction can be somewhat difficult.  Though expunctions can be highly complex in certain circumstances where (where multiple allegations stem from the same arrest for example) – most are cut and dry.  If prosecution against you has been barred as a general rule, you are probably entitled to an expunction.  Prosecution can be barred where you are acquitted by a judge or jury, where the statute of limitations has expired and the case hasn’t been filed, or if prosecution has been barred for some other reason.

It is a common misconception that getting deferred adjudication ‘magically’ drops the criminal arrest record on it’s own for any offense.  Deferred only entitles you to an expunction for (most) class “C” misdemeanors in Texas.  These are the lowest level of offense, which include traffic tickets and petty offenses ranging from minor in possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft below $50 in value as examples.  Even though you weren’t taken to jail on a class “C” doesn’t mean there isn’t a record either!  An Expunction may still be necessary.

Deferred adjudication for offenses from class “B” misdemeanors and above may entitle you to apply for a petition for non-disclosure which generally limits who can know about your criminal case but is different from an expunction.

An expunction doesn’t happen on it’s own.  A state district judge must approve your petition for expunction.  This is a very technical process and is commonly handled by lawyers.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas. This article is not intended to be specific legal advice.  Please consult an attorney for questions regarding this subject matter.