Westminster Grand Theft Lawyer

If you’ve been charged with the crime of grand theft auto in the City of Westminster, contact Orange County criminal defense attorney Ms. Johnson-Norris right away, because stealing a vehicle is a serious offense that requires experienced legal defense.

Grand theft auto is the intended taking and keeping of an automobile without express consent from the owner. It differs from other forms of grand theft, which require the value of the property to be in excess of $950. In grand theft auto, the taking of any vehicle with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of possession may be charged as grand theft. One the other hand, the stealing of a vehicle to “temporarily deprive” the owner of possession may be charged with the lesser offense of joy riding.

Joy riding is still theft, but if you are simply using someone else’s vehicle without their permission, and intend to return it, then the misdemeanor offense of joy riding would apply. The difference between the two lies with your intent to permanently deprive, or temporarily deprive the owner of possession.

Westminster grand theft defense lawyer Ms. Johnson-Norris will tell you that a number of other crimes often occur with grand theft auto. If you break into a building to get the car, you could face an additional charge of burglary; or if you break into the vehicle itself, you could be charged with auto burglary. If you use force against someone to steal a car, you could face the charge of robbery or carjacking, and if a weapon was used you would be charged with armed robbery. Furthermore, if you steal a car entrusted to you by its owner, you could be charged with embezzlement.

As you can see, you’re going to need an experienced and reputable Orange County grand theft defense lawyer with a proven track record. So call the Johnson Criminal Law Group today at (949) 622-5522.