Fort Worth Theft and Shoplifting Lawyer
How theft charges from Fort Worth are graded, which court hears them, and which Tarrant County programs can end them without a conviction.
In short: In Fort Worth, as everywhere in Texas, the value of the property sets the theft charge. Under $100 is a Class C misdemeanor, usually handled in the Fort Worth Municipal Court. Theft of $100 or more goes to the Tarrant County courts at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, and $2,500 or more is a felony. Tarrant County's Deferred Prosecution Program accepts some theft cases under $30,000 for people age 17 to 26, and completion leads to dismissal.
Our office is in downtown Dallas. We do not have an office in Fort Worth, but we defend theft and shoplifting cases in the Fort Worth and Tarrant County courts.
How is theft graded in Texas?
| Value of property | Offense level | Where a Fort Worth case is usually heard |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $100 | Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500 | Fort Worth Municipal Court or a justice of the peace court |
| $100 to less than $750 | Class B misdemeanor, up to 180 days jail | Tarrant County Criminal Courts |
| $750 to less than $2,500 | Class A misdemeanor, up to 1 year jail | Tarrant County Criminal Courts |
| $2,500 to less than $30,000 | State jail felony, 180 days to 2 years | Tarrant County felony courts |
| $30,000 to less than $150,000 | Third degree felony, 2 to 10 years | Tarrant County felony courts |
| $150,000 to less than $300,000 | Second degree felony, 2 to 20 years | Tarrant County felony courts |
| $300,000 or more | First degree felony, 5 to 99 years or life | Tarrant County felony courts |
Source: Texas Penal Code § 31.03 Source: Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 Source: City of Fort Worth Municipal Court
Some facts raise the charge above what the value alone would set, including prior theft convictions, theft from a person, theft of a firearm, and setting off a fire exit alarm or defeating a retail theft detector. See the full Texas Theft Value Ladder.
Is shoplifting charged differently in Fort Worth?
No. Texas has no separate shoplifting offense. Shoplifting is usually charged as theft under Section 31.03. Source: Texas Penal Code § 31.02 Repeat or group thefts from a merchant can be charged as organized retail theft, which is graded more harshly. It becomes a state jail felony at $750, and the two-thefts-in-180-days route does not require anyone else to be involved. Source: Texas Penal Code § 31.16 See Shoplifting in Texas.
Where are Fort Worth theft cases heard?
- Class C theft under $100 is usually a fine-only case the Fort Worth Municipal Court hears at 1000 Throckmorton St., though some are filed in a justice of the peace court. Source: City of Fort Worth Municipal Court
- Class A and B theft goes to the Tarrant County Criminal Courts at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap St. Source: Tarrant County Criminal Court No. 4
- Felony theft goes to the Tarrant County felony courts in the same building. Source: Tarrant County Felony Courts
Can a Fort Worth theft case be dismissed through a program?
Possibly. The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office runs a Deferred Prosecution Program:
- For people age 17 to 26 at the time of the offense.
- No prior conviction or supervision for a Class B offense or above, no juvenile adjudication, and no prior participation in DPP or another court program.
- Eligible offenses include theft and theft of service where the value is less than $30,000, and possessing an instrument to commit retail theft.
- Offenses where someone was injured or placed in danger are excluded.
- Successful completion means the case is dismissed and eligible for immediate expunction.
- Acceptance is at the District Attorney's discretion, and application deadlines apply, so ask early.
Source: Tarrant County CDA Deferred Prosecution Program Source: Tarrant County CDA Deferred Prosecution Program Guidelines
For people who do not qualify, Texas law generally allows deferred adjudication in theft cases, which ends in dismissal and discharge if completed. Source: Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42A.102 Source: Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42A.111
What defenses apply to Fort Worth theft charges?
- No intent to deprive. A mistake at self-checkout or a forgotten item is not the same as intent.
- Value. The State must prove value, and value is fair market value at the time and place of the offense, or replacement cost if that cannot be determined. Source: Texas Penal Code § 31.08
- Identity. Store video and loss-prevention reports can be wrong.
- Aggregation. Separate incidents can be added together only if they were part of one scheme or continuing course of conduct. Source: Texas Penal Code § 31.09
Common questions
Is shoplifting a felony in Fort Worth?
Usually not. Shoplifting under $2,500 is usually a misdemeanor. It becomes a felony at $2,500 or more, or at lower amounts with two or more prior theft convictions.
Where do I go for a Fort Worth shoplifting ticket?
A Class C theft under $100 is usually handled in the Fort Worth Municipal Court at 1000 Throckmorton St. Check the court listed on your citation.
Can a first theft charge in Fort Worth be dismissed?
It can. Tarrant County's Deferred Prosecution Program accepts some theft cases under $30,000 for people age 17 to 26, and completion leads to dismissal. Deferred adjudication is another path.
Can I get a theft charge expunged in Tarrant County?
The Deferred Prosecution Program guidelines state that successful completion makes the case eligible for immediate expunction.
What is the punishment for Class B theft in Fort Worth?
Up to 180 days in county jail, a fine up to $2,000, or both.
Last updated October 2026
How do I get started?
Talk with Texas Criminal Defense Attorneys PLLC about your Fort Worth case. Call 817-854-4745 for a free consultation. Criminal defense consultations are free. Your consultation is with our Director of Client Engagement, not an attorney. If you hire us, an attorney handles your case.
Texas Criminal Defense Attorneys PLLC, 325 N St. Paul Street, Suite 3129, Dallas, TX 75201.
This page is general information about Texas law, not legal advice about your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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This page provides general information about Texas law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.