Virginia Car Theft Charge

January 24, 2019 by Jean Humbrecht

A Virginia Car Theft charge criminalizes taking a car from another person with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of his vehicle.  A Virginia Car Theft charge is considered Grand Larceny and is punished the same way.

Proof of Virginia Car Theft Charge

To convict an offender of a Virginia Car Theft charge under Va. Code §18.2-95, the Commonwealth must prove all of the elements of a Grand Larceny charge.  Grand Larceny in Virginia is taking property worth more than $200 with the intent to permanently deprive an owner of his property or taking property from a person worth more than $5.

Therefore, to convict an offender of a Virginia Car Theft charge, the Commonwealth must prove:

  • an unauthorized taking
  • of a motor vehicle
  • from another person
  • with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of his motor vehicle
Penalty for Virginia Car Theft Charge
Virginia car theft charge

A Virginia Car Theft Charge is Punished the Same Way as a Grand Larceny Charge

A Virginia Car Theft charge under Va. Code §18.2-95 is punished with up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.

Is a Car Theft Charge the Same as a Virginia Carjacking Charge?

Car theft and Carjacking in Virginia are often used interchangeably, but the two crimes actually have important differences.  Carjacking (Va. Code §18.2-58.1) is stealing a car using force or violence, does not require intent to permanently deprive an owner of his motor vehicle, and is punished with a minimum of 15 years up to life in prison.

Click here for more information on Carjacking in Virginia.

Click here for more information on the difference between car theft and Carjacking in Virginia.

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