Howard County Auto Theft Lawyer
Automobile theft is knowingly and willfully taking a motor vehicle out of the owner’s control without their consent. The charges associated with auto theft in Howard County are very serious and lead to serious fines and possible jail time. As such, it is important to contact a Howard County theft lawyer if charged with automobile theft. A Howard County auto theft attorney can help to build a strong defense and ensure that the individual charged knows what to expect throughout the legal process.
Auto Theft Laws
There are additional charges that go along with taking someone’s vehicle as opposed to other regular property. That is, for example, auto theft or it could also be motor vehicle unlawful taking or unauthorized use.
Even the most basic auto theft charge carry significant incarceration and penalties. A Howard County auto theft lawyer could help an individual through all steps of the process on the outset to the end of the trial if need be.
Possible Penalties
For a conviction, a prosecutor will need to prove that the person charged is the one that took the vehicle without permission from the owner. A theft of any variety is a charge that goes by the value. Aside from that portion which would be theft itself, the motor vehicle theft also is always a felony and could carry up to five years’ incarceration and/or a $5,000 fine.
The penalty will be much harsher and the judge will sentence it a more severely based upon the prior conviction.
Probation or Reduced Sentencing Options
Even though it carries five years, the judge does not have to impose that. A judge can impose some, all, or none of it. Frequently, an individual can get probation without having to submit to any incarceration and maybe even keep their record clean if it is appropriate. An experienced Howard County auto theft lawyer can help with all of that.
Common Defense Strategies
There are numerous strategies. One could be in challenging the case itself and determining whether the individual took the vehicle. Often times, somebody else stole the vehicle and picked up an individual after the theft occurred. Therefore, the individual picked up had no knowledge that it was stolen. The prosecution has to connect the actual taking to the individual charged, which can be problematic.
There also can be other issues relating to mental health or substance abuse. Those could be used to address the motive or the reason behind it, and the person getting help can often times get a better sentence if they address those issues.
Preparing a Defense
Besides interviewing and getting all the information they can from the defendant and other witnesses, attorneys can request all discovery, and all the evidence to get an accurate assessment of the case. Every theft case has its own unique characteristics that affect the approach an attorney takes, whether it is retail, auto, or theft from someone’s residence where they have permission to be in. Each situation is a little different and the approaches are tailored to the unique circumstances of every case.
The difference in auto theft is that, a lot of times, theft is contingent upon the value of the item whereas, in a retail store, it is the retail value, it is the price tag. Auto vehicles are subject to estimation; it goes by condition. There are a lot of different factors. If one could challenge the condition or the value and put the defendant in a lower offense category, one can challenge the value of the vehicle whereas one cannot challenge the value of an item for sale in a store. Sometimes, they can address the value, the condition, and things of that nature to try to lower the category and thus the penalties the person is facing.
Contact a Howard County Auto Theft Lawyer
Only a local Howard County auto theft attorney will have the relationships with prosecutors and judges. They will know the temperament, dispositions, and what is appropriate to bring up or negotiate with them.
A lawyer will address any issue, by looking into the defendant, and by putting on a good presentation. Assuming that the charges cannot be overcome in trial, there are mitigating steps and circumstances that can be put into play to get a better and lighter sentence. The attorney can be the needed person to go between parties, try to work out resolutions, address any issues, and discover any problems.