What is a theft of service charge?
Theft of services is a crime that refers to using a service without paying for it. Also, a theft of service charge may be brought against people who are financially unable to pay for a service they received.
What amount of theft is a felony in Texas?
In Texas, theft becomes a felony when a specific object was taken, the property was valued at $2,500 or more, or the alleged offender has prior theft convictions.
What Texas offense will you be charged with if you intend to avoid payment for service you know is provided only for compensation?
Theft of service occurs when a person, acting with intent to avoid payment for services that the actor knows is provided only for compensation, intentionally or knowingly secures performance of the services by deception or threat.
What is theft of services in Texas?
In Texas, you can be criminally charged with theft of service if, with the intent to avoid payment, you obtain a service by means of threat or deception. Theft of service charges can also arise if you agree to make payment in exchange for a service, and then refuse to pay for the service once it’s rendered.
Can you file theft of services in Texas?
Texas considers theft of services a serious felony or misdemeanor and could impose severe penalties on a person accused of the crime, from jail time to fines. The crime is a Class C misdemeanor if the value of the service was under $100. People facing this charge can receive a fine up to $500.
What is considered theft of services in Texas?
Is theft a felony or misdemeanor?
Both First and Second-Degree Theft (aka Theft 1 and Theft 2) are felony offenses. Third Degree Theft (aka Theft 3) is a gross misdemeanor.
Can a contractor be criminally charged in Texas?
In some cases, a civil breach of contract may escalate into criminal theft if the state can prove a defendant acted with fraudulent intent. Under Section 31.03 of the Texas Penal Code, theft occurs when one person “unlawfully appropriates property” from another.
What happens if someone presses charges on you for theft?
Once theft charges have been filed against you, you will be summoned to appear in court. For serious charges (felonies), an arrest warrant can be issued when the charges are filed. Once a judge issues a warrant, you will be arrested as soon as possible and brought to court to answer the charges.
What happens if charges are dropped?
When the prosecution team withdraws the charges, they become dropped charges. A dismissal is essentially the opposite of that; charges are dismissed when the defense argues that the prosecution hasn’t presented enough evidence for a conviction. If the judge agrees, the trial is over.
Under the Texas Penal Code, theft isn’t limited to stealing someone else’s property. It can also include “theft of service.” Sec. 31.04 of the Texas Penal Code says that someone commits the offense of “theft of service” when they receive a service that is intended for compensation, but they avoid paying for the service.
What is the penalty for theft of services?
The penalty for theft of services varies depending on whether the crime is being tried as a felony or a misdemeanor. Penalties range from a fine of a few hundred dollars to many years in prison.
What are some examples of theft of services?
One example of theft of services can be seen with utilities like phones, electricity, water, cable, and Internet. People may toggle devices that are used for metering so that they pay less, or they may use devices that allow them to bypass metering altogether and obtain the services for free.
What are the penalties for shoplifting in Texas?
Class C Misdemeanor:$500 fine