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Auto Theft Defense
August 5th, 2024
Like many states, Wyoming classifies auto theft under its general theft statute. The penalty for an auto theft conviction varies depending on the circumstances of the crime, including the value of the vehicle and the defendant’s unique circumstances, including their criminal history.
If you were charged with auto theft in Wyoming, it is crucial that you secure experienced and aggressive legal representation. Our team of skilled criminal defense professionals can evaluate your circumstances, perform an independent investigation to gather evidence in support of your defense, and fight for a Not Guilty verdict or a significant reduction in the severity of the penalties you might face.
Just Criminal Law is proud to represent people in and around Gillette, Wyoming, and we know what it takes to get results. To put our experience to work for you, contact the criminal defense team at Just Criminal Law today.
Wyoming Auto Theft Laws
In 2020, Wyoming consolidated its theft offenses under one criminal statute. If you were arrested and charged with auto theft, you could face misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the value of the item stolen. If the stolen item is valued at more than $1,000, you will likely be charged with a felony, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 10 years in jail.
Because most vehicles are valued at more than $1,000, most cases of auto theft are charged as a felony.
Common Defenses to Auto Theft
Thankfully, someone charged with auto theft has various defenses available. The most common defenses to auto theft charges involve issues of consent and intent.
Consent
If the owner of the vehicle consented to the defendant using the vehicle, the defendant cannot be convicted of theft. In cases where the owner granted the defendant permission to use the vehicle, the question often becomes when that authorization ended.
Intent
Lack of intent is another common defense to charges of auto theft. For an act to be considered theft, the defendant must have intended to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle. If the defendant can show they did not intend to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle, they cannot be convicted of auto theft.
For example, suppose a teenager borrowed their parent’s car for a few hours, drove around with friends, and then returned home. They cannot be convicted of auto theft because they lacked the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle. On the other hand, if a thief took the vehicle, stripped it of its parts, and sold them to the highest bidder, they had no intention of returning the vehicle to the rightful owner and could be convicted of auto theft.
Unlawful Search and Seizure
The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures. If law enforcement agents illegally seized evidence, that evidence cannot be presented in court. A skilled auto theft defense lawyer may be able to have evidence excluded by arguing the police violated your constitutional rights by performing an illegal search.
Lack of Evidence
A skilled auto theft defense lawyer can argue that the evidence is insufficient to secure a conviction. The prosecutor cannot secure a conviction without evidence you committed a crime. Our defense team can conduct an independent investigation to uncover weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case, including challenging whether you intended to deprive the owner of the vehicle and the reliability and admissibility of the evidence the prosecutor will try to present to convict you of auto theft.
Contact the Defense Team at Just Criminal Law for Aggressive Defense Against Auto Theft Charges
If you were charged with auto theft in or around Gillette, Wyoming, you need experienced, aggressive legal representation. Just Criminal Law is here to help. Our skilled criminal defense team will carefully analyze your case, develop a compelling defense strategy, and fight to protect your rights and minimize the likelihood of a conviction.
Just Criminal Law was founded by Christina L. Williams, a former Campbell County Prosecutor. She has assembled a team of top-notch criminal defense professionals, many of whom have prior experience working for law enforcement agencies. Together, we will thoroughly investigate your case and mount an aggressive defense designed to win at trial, force the prosecutor to dismiss your case, or lead to a significant reduction in the severity of the charges or penalties you face.
To put our experience to work for you, contact Just Criminal Law today to schedule your personalized case review and strategy session.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is offered for educational purposes only. This information is not offered as legal advice. A person accused of a crime should always consult with an attorney before making decisions that have legal consequences.
Categories: Criminal Defense Attorneys