Most jurisdictions, including Tulsa, Oklahoma, have statutes designed to prevent or deter auto theft. If you are caught in possession of a stolen vehicle in Tulsa OK, there are several crimes with which you could be charged.
Theft of a Vehicle
Any person who steals an aircraft, automobile, or other vehicle, including construction or farm equipment, may be convicted of a felony crime. This is punishable by a prison term of 3 to 20 years, a fine of up to three times the value of the property stolen (up to $500,000), and restitution. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1720
Grand Larceny
Larceny is defined as the taking of personal property through fraud or stealth, and with the intent to deprive. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1701
If the stolen car is worth more than $500, the crime would be classified as grand larceny. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1704
Grand larceny is a felony under Oklahoma law. It is punishable by a prison term of up to five years in addition to fines and restitution. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1705
Joyriding
Of all the possible crimes you might be charged with after being caught with a stolen vehicle in Tulsa OK, joyriding is the least serious. In Oklahoma, joyriding is defined as driving or attempting to drive another person’s car without their consent. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1787
Joyriding is a misdemeanor offense. This punishable by a fine between $100 and $500, up to a year in jail, or both. Joyriding hinges on a lack of intent to keep the car. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1788
Carjacking — the Use of Force or Fear
In Oklahoma, carjacking is a serious crime. Carjacking is a form of robbery, a crime against a person. It involves force or the threat of force in the taking of another’s personal property from that person’s body or from the immediate surrounding area. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 791
Robbery can be of the first or second degree. In first-degree robbery, the assailant inflicts or threatens to inflict serious bodily harm, or commits or threatens to commit a felony against a person. All other robberies are of the second degree. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 797
Penalties are stiff for robbery convictions — a minimum of 10 years in prison. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 798
If you use a deadly weapon in the commission of a carjacking, your sentence may be subject to the 85% rule. If convicted, you will have to serve 85% of your prison sentence before you are released. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 13.1
Defenses to Being Caught with a Stolen Vehicle in Tulsa OK
Defenses to being caught with a stolen vehicle in Tulsa OK generally revolve around the answers to two key questions:
- Did you have permission to use the car during the time and at the place you were caught with it?
- Did you intend to keep the car or return it?
You should explore defenses open to you with a qualified Tulsa criminal defense attorney.
Initial Strategy Session: Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or someone you know has been accused of possession of a stolen vehicle in Tulsa OK, please contact a Tulsa criminal defense attorney to discuss your available legal options.
Consult with an experienced Tulsa attorney today by calling 918-756-9600.
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