Virginia Beach Auto Theft Lawyer

Under Virginia Beach law, auto theft is the willful taking of an automobile with the intent to deprive the owner of the car permanently. Auto theft is treated the same as grand larceny in Virginia Beach. It also requires proof of a vehicle’s value. If the car is worth $500 or more, it becomes a felony. Also, auto theft carries with it an extra penalty. If someone is convicted of auto theft, their license will also be suspended between 60 days and six months. If it is a second offense, the individual’s license will be suspended between 60 days and a year.

Whenever someone is charged with a crime, they should hire a seasoned theft attorney. Having someone there who knows the law and knows how courts work can be invaluable and save them lots of time and money. Speak to a Virginia Beach auto theft lawyer to learn about your options for getting the charge reduced or dismissed.

Intent to Deprive

The prosecutor would need to prove that the accused person took a vehicle belonging to someone else with the intent to deprive that other person of the automobile permanently. When speaking of the intent to deprive the owner of the property permanently, an example would be where somebody is charged with grand larceny of a motor vehicle, and this person knows the owner of the car. The accused person borrowed the motor vehicle and thought that they were able to keep the car longer than they had it. They intended to return the car but was not able to get in contact with the owner before the authorities were called.

That type of scenario would support a charge of unauthorized use, which is a lesser felony than grand larceny of a motor vehicle.  If it is felony auto theft, the prosecutor will also need to prove that the vehicle was worth $500 or more. A diligent Virginia Beach auto theft lawyer could review the facts of the case and help you build a defense against the charges.

Consequences of Auto Theft in Virginia Beach

The prosecutor must prove every element of larceny, a willful taking with the intent to deprive the owner of their property permanently. The prosecutor must also prove that the vehicle belonged to another and determine the value of the car at the time it was taken.

If a person is charged with auto theft, they can be convicted of a Class 1 misdemeanor or a felony. The maximum penalty for misdemeanor auto theft is 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. Also, if someone is convicted of a felony auto theft, the maximum sentence is 20 years in prison. Someone convicted of auto theft will also have their driver’s license suspended between 60 days and six months. If it is a second offense, the individual’s license will be suspended between 60 days and a year.

If someone is convicted of auto theft for the second time, the punishment will likely be harsher. Additionally, the possible license suspension increases from a maximum of six months to a maximum of a year.

Seek Help from a Virginia Beach Auto Theft Attorney Today

The elements of the crime of auto theft are that the defendant willfully took an automobile with the intent to deprive the owner of the automobile permanently. You should not try to fight the charges alone. Let a skilled defense attorney help.

A Virginia Beach auto theft lawyer will be able to investigate the facts and examine police procedure to make sure everything was done correctly. If the lawyer finds any errors, they can file and argue the necessary motions to get evidence suppressed. They will also be able to negotiate with law enforcement and the prosecution to obtain a favorable result. Schedule a consultation today to learn about your legal options.