Is Identity Theft a Felony?
Identity theft charges can affect your life in severe ways. It’s a serious crime, and it can even be charged on a federal level. Because of this, you need to know what to expect from your case and whether identity theft is a felony before your trial date in a Texas courtroom.
Luckily, you have a chance to fight those charges, even if you’re dealing with federal charges. Your Dallas identity theft attorney can help you determine how severe the charges are and what you can do to defend yourself in the courtroom.
Dallas Identity Theft Penalties Depend on the Severity
The severity of an identity theft conviction may vary, depending on the items you’re accused of stealing. For example, let’s say someone accused you of using their credit card to purchase an expensive item, but nothing else was stolen. If convicted, you may be imprisoned for up to two years with a fine of up to $10,000, in addition to civil fines.
While that’s still a felony conviction, it could be much worse. If you’re accused of identity theft involving thirty items, you may face a second-degree felony, which raises your possible prison sentence to a maximum of twenty years. If you’re convicted of stealing more than fifty items, you could even be charged with a first-degree felony.
Long-Term Penalties for Identity Theft
Of course, the penalties don’t stop there. If you don’t act now to avoid a conviction, you could face some severe penalties even after you’ve served a prison sentence.
Mainly, this problem comes through your criminal record. That record can impact your life from now on, once you’ve been convicted. Potential Dallas employers and landlords will see that record on a routine background check, and they may use it as grounds for refusing to employ or house you.
That’s the story many Texans with misdemeanors or felonies on their record are facing. You have a chance to defend your case and get your charges reduced or dropped, but if you don’t, you could have a conviction that may be impossible to remove.
Talk to a Texas Identity Theft Lawyer for a Strong Defense
When you’re accused of identity theft, you’re looking at severe penalties for a conviction. Identity theft isn’t just a felony—it’s also a federal crime in some cases, which means you could be charged on a more severe level.
That’s already scary enough, but here’s the good news—you still have time to contact an identity theft lawyer from Chris Lewis & Associates P.C. and seek help with your case. Your attorney has the tools you need for a strong defense that works with the specific details of your situation.
Even better, your identity theft lawyer can represent you in court. That means you don’t have to fight felony charges alone, giving you a better chance at success. When you’re ready to talk to a criminal defense lawyer about your Dallas identity theft case, reach out by calling 214-665-6930 or by contacting us through the online form below.
