Rhode Island Attorney

Grand Theft Auto

Motor vehicle theft, or grand theft auto, is the act of stealing or attempting to steal a motor vehicle, including cars, trucks, buses, trailers, and snowmobiles. Common methods of theft include stealing unattended vehicles without keys, hotwiring cars, theft by access to the car keys, opportunistic theft, carjacking, and fraudulent stealing.

Theft of cars without keys is probably most the common means of taking a motor vehicle. Thieves illegally enter the vehicle and bypass the ignition interlock and start it without a key. A car can be taken with keys but without the owner’s consent, otherwise known as “Taken without Owner’s Consent” (TWOC). Opportunistic theft involves removal of a vehicle that has been left running or idling. Carjacking includes the forcible obtaining of a vehicle, a charge usually accompanied by assault. Finally, fraudulent theft is the acquisition of an automobile by falsifying money transactions.

Car thieves are motivated by various factors, including self transportation, joyriding, chopping and selling the vehicle’s parts, and resale of the vehicle. Frequently stolen vehicle types include Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Jeep Cherokee, and Cadillac Escalade. Various prevention methods can reduce the likelihood of automobile theft. Steering wheel locks, immobilizers utilizing chip technology for the ignition, car alarms, VIN etching, and microdot identification tags for individual vehicle parts all reduce the likelihood of vehicle theft.

If you have been accused of grand theft auto, a criminal attorney is necessary to preserve your rights. The experienced Rhode Island attorney James Powderly will fight for your reputation in court. Contact him today at 401.662.9006 to discuss your legal options.