In Phoenix, “Theft of Means of Transportation” or “Grand Theft Auto”, as defined by A.R.S. §13-1814, is a crime where a person takes somebody else’s vehicle and takes complete control of it, with the intent of permanently depriving the other person of that vehicle. Arizona grand theft auto can also be charged when a person borrows somebody else’s vehicle but fails to return it within a mutually agreed upon time. Failing to notify the real owner of a vehicle’s loss or presenting false or fraudulently acquired documents in order to claim ownership of the vehicle may also constitute grand theft auto. In some cases, some people are charged with grand theft auto when they knowingly drive a stolen vehicle. If you have been charged with grand theft auto in Phoenix, it is best that you contact our Phoenix Grand Theft Auto Lawyers.
Grand theft auto on a first offense class three (3) felony carries a sentence of two (2) years minimum to eight and three quarters (8.75) maximum jail time. If you have prior convictions, the sentence can go up to 25 years in prison. If you are facing grand theft auto charges in Phoenix, you need to call our experienced grand theft auto lawyers now.
There are several possible defenses for grand theft auto in Phoenix. Consent is the most utilized defense for grand theft auto. This happens when somebody borrows a car or had a previous permission to borrow it but the other person invalidates that permission. This most often occurs among close friends or even business partners and often arises after a petty argument. The other party may claim the vehicle was “stolen”. In such cases, our grand theft auto lawyer will be able to help you get all evidence to show that there was a previous permission to drive the vehicle.
Another common grand theft auto defense is “Mistake of Fact”. This happens when a person who sold or loaned the stolen car to you misrepresented himself by saying he is the actual owner of the vehicle. Unknown to you, you are now in possession of a stolen vehicle and has been charged with grand theft auto. Our experienced Phoenix grand theft auto lawyer may help you in proving that you had no prior knowledge of the auto theft and that you had no intention to permanently deprive the real owner of the vehicle. This defense can lower your charge to “Unlawful Use of Means of Transportation / Joyriding”, a much lower felony that carries a lower sentenceThis is a much lower felony range and carries a much lower punishment.
Our experienced criminal defense lawyers will fight with a broad range of range of defenses that apply to the charge of grand theft auto in Phoenix. Commonly used assertions are Miranda rights violations, invalid search warrant, or grave coercion and intimidation by the police to make you confess without the presence of an attorney. If you are charged with grand theft auto in Phoenix, now is the time to contact our experienced grand theft auto lawyers.
