Theft crimes are all treated seriously by the law, with penalties escalating based on the value of the property stolen. Therefore, stealing vehicles which are usually worth thousands of dollars or more, can lead to some of the most serious consequences of all types of theft. The crime of motor vehicle theft involves three primary elements: intentionally taking, moving, or using a vehicle without permission, the vehicle belonging to someone else, and the person who took the vehicle doing so with the intent of depriving the owner of the vehicle.
If you are facing charges of vehicle theft, it’s important that you reach out and contact a skilled advocate who can fight on your side. When you’re facing stressful and overwhelming charges for a theft crime, a Milwaukee criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of Christopher J. Cherella can provide you with fearless representation and dedicated, quality counsel. For more than 20 years, our team has delivered top-quality advocacy to ensure each of our clients receives the fair trial they deserve. We strive for the best possible outcome in every case, no matter whether it is being tried in a federal, state, or local-level court. We’ve handled hundreds of cases and we use this ever-growing experience to further improve our skills for all our clients.
If you have been accused of auto theft, call the Law Offices of Christopher J. Cherella today at (414) 347-9334 and request a case evaluation!
Penalties for Auto Theft
Like most other states, Wisconsin charges auto theft based on the value of the vehicle stolen. The more valuable the vehicle, the more severe the charges, and thus the tougher the penalties. The least-severe form of auto theft is a Class A misdemeanor, which is charged when the vehicle stolen is worth $2,500 or less. In these instances, you could still face up to nine months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
Most auto theft cases are considered felonies, which means you’ll face at least one year in prison (though likely much more), as well as steep fines (as much as $25,000 for Class G felonies).
Some other types of auto theft can include:
- Joyriding: also known as unauthorized use of a vehicle, this involves using a vehicle without permission, but also without the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle.
- Carjacking: This involves someone using the threat of force or a weapon to gain possession of a vehicle from its owner.
- Failure to return a rental car: If you’ve ever rented a car, you do so with an agreement that you’ll bring it back. If you fail to do so, you could face the same penalties based on the value of the vehicle.
Contact the Law Offices of Christopher J. Cherella now for assistance!
