Do You Have to Go to Court if You're Caught Shoplifting

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas.

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas. I found out my wife was arrested for shoplifting through simple internet browsing, and since finding out, I have noticed she had no intention of telling me. I have researched as much as I can about her case and it just went on the counties web site. My questions are; will she have a court date? She checked into jail a month after the incident, and I think she has an attorney. What should I look for to protect her? I still haven't brought it up and don't know how to. We are law abiding citizens and for the life of me can't figure out how it happened. I didn't see a police report or incident report. It's a class b misdemeanor in the misdemeanor court. What kind of punishment could that get? Thanks.

I'm just confused.

You really need to talk to your wife about this. She and her attorney will clear up any confusion you may be experiencing.

There are basically two (2) situations where shoplifting can be considered a class B misdemeanor (Texas Penal Code § 31.03(e)(2)). If:

(A) the value of the property stolen is:

(i) $50 or more but less than $500; or
(ii) $20 or more but less than $500 and the defendant obtained the property by issuing or passing a check or similar sight order in a manner described by Section 31.06; or

(B) the value of the property stolen is less than:

(i) $50 and the defendant has previously been convicted of any grade of theft; or
(ii) $20, the defendant has previously been convicted of any grade of theft, and the defendant obtained the property by issuing or passing a check or similar sight order in a manner described by Section 31.06.

They are both punishable by Jail time up to 180 days and/or a fine up to $2,000.

There really isn't anything you can do to protect her now, that is, or was, up to her attorney. If she spent time in jail, it may be that the case has already been adjudicated. Confronting her now may not accomplish anything but embarrassing her... but, that's your decision.

If she went to jail, she probably already had a court date. But EE is right about how to deal with this.

Thank you. It's weird I wasn't informed and unclear why she did it. We aren't hurting financially. I just have to come out with it.

Who did you figure was obligated to to you? (Other than your wife herself, of course.) She's a adult, not a child. You're not in any kind of authority position over her. Why do you think you're entitled to be informed by any entity other than the party herself?

that was never mentioned. I did state she didn't inform me of the situation, but in no way, felt a third party should have notified me.