Vehicle / Auto Theft

Auto theft is a felony crime that can result in a multiple year prison sentence. By definition, theft is the act of unlawfully taking or using another person’s property without lawful consent. If an individual is charged with auto theft, he or she is believed to have knowingly, and without legal authority, controlled or obtained another person’s means of transportation.

There are many factors involved in proving a case of auto theft. Therefore, if you have been charged with this offense, there may be a multitude of defenses available to you. For more information, contact a criminal defense attorney in Maricopa County as soon as possible.

The Law Office of James E. Novak aggressively represents clients facing auto theft charges in and around Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Phoenix. James Novak is an qualified Maricopa County criminal defense lawyer who's experience in the Marine Corp. has prepared him for the toughest of challenges.

Contact the Law Office of James E. Novak at (480) 413-1499 for a consultation to learn more about your legal options. James Novak will work diligently to ensure that you are adequately prepared to battle the legal system, call him today.

• Acts of Auto Theft in Maricopa County
• What are the Potential Penalties for Auto Theft in Arizona?
• Working with a Quality Auto Theft Lawyer in Maricopa County

Back to top

Section 13-1814 of the Arizona Revised Statutes outlines auto theft as knowingly, intentionally, and without lawful authority, committing one of the following acts:

• Controls a vehicle belonging to someone else, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle
• 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.
• Obtains another person’s vehicle by any means of misrepresentation, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle
• Comes into control of another person’s vehicle that has been lost or wrongfully delivered, without making reasonable efforts to notify the rightful owner of the vehicle
• Controls another person’s vehicle knowing that it has been stolen

If an individual is found to be in possession of a vehicle that he or she obtained illegally or under false pretenses, the alleged offender can be charged with a class 3 felony.

Back to top

A class 3 felony charge for auto theft is punishable by between 2.5 and 7 years in prison. If the offense involves threatening or causing harm to the victim, the alleged offender can face aggravated class 3 felony charges and have his or her potential prison sentence increased to 8.75 years.

Back to top

If you have been charged with auto theft in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, Phoenix, or East Valley, contact the Law Office of James E. Novak. Attorney James Novak is a former prosecutor who has now devoted his life to fighting to protect the freedom of his clients.

Call the Law Office of James E. Novak at (480) 413-1499, to set up a free consultation at on your accusations of auto theft in Maricopa County.