Anyone who takes a vehicle without permission without intent to steal or sell that vehicle could still be charged with joyriding. If you take a car, truck, or motorcycle that does not belong to you, drive it, and then abandon it, you could be convicted of unlawfully driving away an automobile. Anyone with intent to take permanent possession of a vehicle or intent to sell a vehicle to a third party could face grand theft auto or chop shop charges and though joyriding is not as serious, there are still criminal penalties that can result from this misdemeanor offense.
If you need a lawyer to help you fight joyriding charges, call Grabel & Associates now. Whether you are accused of temporarily taking a car, truck, boat, or bike, you need a lawyer to ensure your charges are not amplified and your rights are protected. Many Michigan teenagers are accused of joyriding offenses, and we understand juvenile law and how a misdemeanor charge could affect your future. Work with our Michigan criminal defense team and make sure your teenager does not unjustly suffer for an error in judgment or misunderstanding.
In the state of Michigan, most joyriding cases involve teenagers under the age of 21 who take a vehicle for a short amount of time either for amusement or to get to a destination. Offenders over the age of 21 are much more likely to have charges escalated to car theft, though it is possible for any joyriding offender to face serious auto theft charges. Without an attorney, police and prosecutors can quickly build a case against you and increase the probability that you will face criminal punishment, so do not hesitate to contact our criminal defense firm.
Joyriding is considered a misdemeanor offense, though co-occurrence with other offenses can lead to serious accusations and amplified penalties. Michigan’s zero tolerance alcohol law for persons under the age of 21 make it illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol level (BAC) over 0.02%. If you are caught joyriding and have any alcohol in your system, you could face license suspension, fines, and other potential restrictions. Additionally, if an accident occurs while unlawfully driving a vehicle in Michigan or a death results from joyriding, the driver will likely be held completely responsible for any financial restitution.
There are multiple criminal charges related to joyriding in Michigan, including Unlawfully Driving Away an Automobile, and Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle. If you take a vehicle that is not lawfully yours, you can be charged with unlawfully driving away a vehicle and sentenced to up to 5 years in prison. If you obtain a vehicle legally, but proceed to use it in an unauthorized way, you can be charged with Unlawful Use of a Vehicle and sentenced to up to 2 years in prison. If either of these charges is escalated to a car theft or grand theft auto charge, you will face even more severe criminal penalties and extremely harsh punishment.
Contact us now to protect against serious criminal penalties for joyriding in Michigan. If you are under investigation for joyriding or believe you may be charged with unlawfully operating a vehicle, contact our attorneys to find out more about your legal options. The quicker you obtain an experienced attorney the better your result will be, which is why we are available 24/7 at our toll free number, and will immediately begin working on your case.
In motor vehicle crime cases, every detail leading up to arrest and criminal charges must be rigorously reviewed and taken into consideration with every other aspect of the case including the offender’s age, past criminal history, and specific circumstances surrounding the offense. If a juvenile is accused of unlawfully driving a vehicle, we will look at every possible sentencing option and fight to keep your record clear. We can push for a case dismissal, alternative sentencing, or community service in place of jail time or other restrictions, and will aggressively fight to achieve the result that is best for you.
If your case includes a DUI charge, property damage, theft, police evasion, or a vehicle accident, contact our firm right away and let us explain the legal issues affecting your case. Our premier Michigan firm is dedicated to criminal defense, and we have practiced only Michigan criminal defense for over a decade, gaining experience in thousands of past cases that will give you an edge in your joyriding case. Michigan juvenile crime and motor vehicle crime is extremely serious, and you need a lawyer who is committed to protecting your future and guiding you through the legal process towards a great outcome.
Our past results demonstrate that our Michigan criminal defense approach is effective, and our dynamic and innovative strategies have been put to the test throughout Michigan’s 83 counties. Contact us right now to gain an edge over police and prosecutors and let us help you overcome criminal conviction and punishment.
Call 1-800-342-7896 now for a free case consultation or contact us online. We are available 24/7 to speak with you concerning the details of your case and an experienced case analyst will give you more information on how our criminal defense approach will help you in your Michigan case. You can even set up a free consultation with trial attorney Scott Grabel by contacting us now. Don’t dismiss joyriding charges and risk a criminal conviction, protect yourself with Michigan’s top criminal defense now.