Virginia Grand Theft Auto
May 21, 2016 by Jean Humbrecht
Virginia Grand Theft Auto is taking a car from another person with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of his property. Grand Theft Auto is a form of Grand Larceny in Virginia and is punished the same way.
Proof of Virginia Grand Theft Auto Under Va. Code §18.2-95
Since a Virginia Grand Theft Auto charge (Va. Code §18.2-95) is a form of Grand Larceny, the Commonwealth must prove all of the elements of Grand Larceny to convict an offender of a Grand Theft Auto charge. Grand Larceny is taking property valued at more than $200, without consent, with the intent to permanently deprive an owner of his property or taking property from a person valued at $5 or more without consent.
A Virginia Grand Theft Auto Charge is Punished with up to 20 Years in Prison
To prove a Virginia Grand Theft Auto, the Commonwealth must prove:
- a taking
- of a motor vehicle
- from another person
- without consent
- with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of his property
Penalty for Virginia Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto in Virginia under Va. Code §18.2-95 is punished with up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.
Is Grand Theft Auto the Same as Carjacking?
Virginia Grand Theft Auto charges and Virginia Carjacking charges both involve car theft, but have important differences. Carjacking is stealing a car by force or violence, does not require intent to permanently deprive the owner of his property, and is punished with a minimum of 15 years in prison.
For more information on Carjacking in Virginia, click here. For more information on the difference between Grand Theft Auto and Carjacking in Virginia, click here.
***DISCLAIMER: THE MATERIAL AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS POST, ON ANY PAGES ON THIS WEBSITE, AND ON ANY PAGES LINKED FROM THESE PAGES, ARE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND NOT LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONSULT A LICENSED ATTORNEY IN YOUR JURISDICTION BEFORE RELYING ON ANY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THESE PAGES. SENDING EMAIL TO OR VIEWING INFORMATION FROM THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP***