Creuzot said his office will not prosecute theft cases where the value is under $750 unless the evidence shows the theft was for economic gain.

"Study after study shows that when we arrest, jail, and convict people for non-violent crimes committed out of necessity, we only prevent that person from gaining the stability necessary to lead a law-abiding life. Criminalizing poverty is counter-productive for our community�s health and safety," Creuzot said.

Guess I need to go shopping.

we only prevent that person from gaining the stability necessary to lead a law-abiding life




someone will challenge it and it will go to the state supreme court then be ruled unconstitutional since the law is on the books.

Makes perfect sense. The next step is to decriminalize unauthorized acquisition.

Not sure I understand.

Assuming thieves have common sense...they steal things of value. So how can taking something of value not be for economic gain?

If I steal your bicycle worth $400...I now have $400 that you do not. Is that not economic gain?

So if I get hungry out of "necessity" I can go to the store and load up the basket. All I would need to tell the cops was it was necessary.

The theft crimes he's talking about are thefts from stores - mostly grocery stores and Walmart. Basically, anything you steal for "personal use" that's a "necessity" (food, clothes).

Dallas won't even send an officer to take a report about the theft of a $400 bicycle anyway, so really nothing much has changed except that this is a message to store security to just let thieves go and don't bother calling.

Good Lord our country is hell bound on a greased track.

Unreal.

My neighbor wants to know if the below $750 is per item, or if it�s $750 for total s*** he needs to steal. (He wants to remain in good standing with the law.)

Please clarify and I�ll let him know.

Totally agree!!!

Pay for rent, utilities, and blow the rest of your money on toys. Then go steal all the food you need. Just don't go over $749 each trip to the store.

Given it�s prison population, it wouldn�t surprise me to see Texas going to a no cash bail system in the future

When welfare doesn't provide everything you need, and you're too lazy to sling dope. I guess all that's left is to be a thief.

Hey guys where do you keep your rods and reels?

Considering the Dallas city council, the Dallas county commissioners, and the Dallas police chief, (from Detroit), one should not be at all surprised that theft and other crimes is now condoned. Hello Chicago, Detroit, LA.