What happens if you are caught shoplifting in Texas?

Gary Churak’s Answer

What will happen if the Risk Manager in the store or a manager would come up to you, and tap on you on the shoulder, and say, “Follow me,” and they’ll take you a little room in the back of the store, and they’ll basically begin questioning you about what you took and how you took it? Most times, they actually have you on videos taking the item. At that point in time, they will decide what they want to do with you. Some stores, if the amount is minimal and they really don’t want to deal with the police, will just let you go and tell you don’t ever come back. A lot of stores will basically call the local police department. They will come down and depending on the amount of the items taken will either issue a citation if it’s under $50 to appear in a municipal or JP court; or if it’s over $50, they have two options. They can either put you in handcuffs and take you down to the county jail, or they can issue you a citation to appear in county court at law or county court in a later date. At that point in time, you have a serious problem. You have been arrested for theft which is considered a crime of moral turpitude and could have tremendous effects on your ability to earn a living, get an apartment, and basically live a life.