If you have been charged with shoplifting, petty theft, or another property crime, your court may require you to complete a theft awareness class as part of your sentence, probation, or diversion program. Here is what courts typically require and what you can expect from an online theft awareness class.
Theft awareness classes are educational programs designed to help participants understand the consequences of theft, develop better decision-making skills, and reduce the likelihood of repeat offenses. These classes are not therapy or treatment — they are structured educational programs led by qualified professionals.
Courts typically require theft awareness classes for first-time offenders as part of a diversion agreement, as a condition of probation following a theft conviction, as part of a plea agreement, or as a condition of deferred adjudication. The length of the class required depends on your specific court order and jurisdiction. Schroeder Counseling offers 4, 8, 12 and 16-hour classes.
Topics covered in a comprehensive theft awareness class include: the personal and legal consequences of theft, the impact of theft on businesses, communities, and victims, understanding impulse control and decision-making, identifying emotional and psychological triggers, personal accountability and responsibility, restitution and making amends, and strategies for behavioral change.
Before you book, ask your court or probation officer what they need. Common questions are whether the instructor must hold a credential, whether the class must be live rather than pre-recorded, what the certificate must show, and how many hours are required.
At Schroeder Counseling, theft awareness classes are taught live on Zoom and led by Jennifer Schroeder, M.S., CADC, and certificates include the counselor's credentials and verification details.
After completing your class, you will receive an official completion certificate that you can submit to your court, probation officer, or attorney. We can also send verification directly on your behalf.