Tucson Auto Theft Attorney
Arizona’s auto theft statutes are called “theft of means or transportation”, or “unlawful use of means of transportation.” They are contained in A.R.S. § 13-1803 and A.R.S. § 13-1814. The major differences between the two is whether the person intended to deprive the owner of the vehicle permanently, and whether the person is a driver or passenger of a vehicle known to be stolen. Elias Damianakos is an experienced Tucson auto theft attorney including theft of means of transportation and unlawful use of means of transportation.
A.R.S. § 13-1803 provides:
A. A person commits unlawful use of means of transportation if, without intent permanently to deprive, the person either:
1. Knowingly takes unauthorized control over another person’s means of transportation.
2. Knowingly is transported or physically located in a vehicle that the person knows or has reason to know is in the unlawful possession of another person pursuant to paragraph 1 or section 13-1814.
B. A violation of subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section is a class 5 felony.
C. A violation of subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section is a class 6 felony.
A.R.S. § 13-1814 provides:
A. A person commits theft of means of transportation if, without lawful authority, the person knowingly does one of the following:
1. Controls another person’s means of transportation with the intent to permanently deprive the person of the means of transportation.
2. Converts for an unauthorized term or use another person’s means of transportation that is entrusted to or placed in the defendant’s possession for a limited, authorized term or use.
3. Obtains another person’s means of transportation by means of any material misrepresentation with intent to permanently deprive the person of the means of transportation.
4. Comes into control of another person’s means of transportation that is lost or misdelivered under circumstances providing means of inquiry as to the true owner and appropriates the means of transportation to the person’s own or another’s use without reasonable efforts to notify the true owner.
5. Controls another person’s means of transportation knowing or having reason to know that the property is stolen.
If you have been charged with theft of means of transportation or unlawful use of means of transportation, contact us for a free case evaluation. We have successfully defended people charged with auto theft and other theft related crimes.
