Car Theft and Related Crimes
In Michigan, statute 750.413 defines car theft, which it describes as taking possession of a motor vehicle and driving away. The statute prohibits any person from willfully taking a car belonging to another and driving it away without the owner’s consent. The charge for stealing a car under this statute is a felony, and the jail time for stealing a car can be up to five years.
When prosecutors are unable to prove that the defendant acted with the intent to steal the car, they may resort to Michigan Statute 750.414. This statute criminalizes the act of taking or using someone’s vehicle without his or her consent even when there is no intent steal the vehicle. Accordingly, the punishment for this crime is less severe. If convicted, the defendant will face up to two years in jail and/or a fine of $1,500. For first time offenders, a judge may reduce the sentence to three months imprisonment and/or a fine of $500.
Michigan Statute 750.415 prohibits activities linked to car theft. The statute makes it illegal to unintentionally conceal or misrepresent the identity of a motor vehicle by removing or defacing the vehicle identification numbers affixed to both the engine and the frame. The penalty for violating this statute is a misdemeanor, but if the prosecutor can show that you misrepresented your vehicle’s identity with criminal intentions, you will have your license revoked and be punished with a felony.
Michigan Statute 750.416 makes a misdemeanor out of tampering or meddling with another person’s vehicle. This statute makes it possible to punish people caught in the act of stealing a car. The statute specifically prohibits:
- Intentionally starting or maliciously putting into gear a vehicle without authority from the owner
- Intentionally cutting, marking, scratching, or damaging the chassis, running gear, body, sides, top, covering, upholstering or accessories of any motor vehicle without the permission of the owner
- Intentionally releasing the brake of any standing motor vehicle, with the intent to injure the vehicle or to move it without the consent of the owner
Crimes Relating to the Sale, Possession, or Purchase of Stolen Cars
According to Michigan Statute 750.415, it’s illegal to buy or obtain control of a vehicle with the intent to sell it or otherwise dispose it knowing that an identification number of vehicle or one of its parts has been removed or altered. Violators may be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years and/or a fine of $20,000.00.
In the same vein, Michigan Statute 750.535 makes it illegal for a person to buy, receive or even possess a stolen vehicle when the person knows or has reason to know that the car was stolen.
For vehicles worth more than $20,000, violators may be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years and/or a fine of $15,000.00. This is the penalty for third-time offenders—no matter the value of the vehicle involved. Their fine will be $15,000 or three times the value of the property received—whichever is greater.
For vehicles worth between $1,000 and $20,000, violators may face a felony conviction garnering a sentence of up to five years and/or a fine of $10,000. This is also the penalty in store for second-time offenders—regardless of the value of the vehicle. In this case, the fine will be three times the value of the vehicle.
Stealing Property from an Automobile
Michigan Statute 750.356a concerns larceny on vehicles. It prohibits from stealing or unlawfully removing or taking any wheel, tire, air bag, catalytic converter, radio, stereo, clock, telephone, computer, or other electronic device from any motor vehicle, house trailer, trailer, or semitrailer. Violators may be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.
A person who steals any property contained within a motor vehicle, house trailer, trailer, or semitrailer and who breaks, tears, cuts, or otherwise damages any part of the vehicle may be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment up to five years or a fine of $10,000.00, or both, regardless of the value of the property.
If the violator does not damage any part of the vehicle, and the value of the property stolen is less than $200.00, the penalty is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 93 days and/or a fine of $500.00 or three times the value of the property, whichever is greater.
For second offenders of the above section, or for people who steal property worth between $200.00 and $1,000.00, the penalty is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year and/or a fine of up to $2,000.00 or three times the value of the property, whichever is greater.
For second offenders of the above section, or when the property stolen is worth between $1,000 and $20,000, the penalty is a felony punishable by imprisonment of up to five years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.00 or three times the value of the property, whichever is greater.
For second offenders of the above section, or when the property is worth $20,000 or more, the penalty is a felony punishable by imprisonment of up to ten years and/or a fine of not more than $15,000.00 or three times the value of the property, whichever is greater.
Your Detroit Car Theft Lawyer Can Help
Michigan has harsh laws and significant penalties, and people often ask how much jail time for stealing a car they might face. If you’ve been charged with one of the crimes described on this page, you may be able to avoid a harsh sentence or even defeat the prosecution’s case with a skilled Detroit car theft lawyer by your side. For example, Maurice Davis can defend your case using some of the strategies below:
- Having the evidence against you thrown out because it was obtained illegally or without a proper warrant
- Objecting to crucial evidence of the prosecution’s case based on the rules of evidence and procedure
- Showing that your arrest and subsequent detention and interrogation were unconstitutional
- Proving that you did not commit the actions of which you are accused
- Claiming that you did not act with criminal intent
- Advocating for a lenient sentence by highlighting mitigating factors for the judge at the sentencing hearing
If you’ve been charged, do not talk to the police or to the prosecutors until you have spoken with your theft lawyer. This will enable your lawyer to build a better defense for your case, since any statements you make can and will be used against you. If you want to talk to Maurice Davis about your case, you can call him today at (313) 818-3238 for a free and confidential consultation.
