Felony Charges for Auto Theft in Nevada

Under NRS 205.228, grand larceny of a motor vehicle is charged as a felony offense in the state of Nevada. This offense can be charged when an individual intentionally steals, drives away, takes and carries away, or in another way removes a vehicle from the rightful possession of another person.

The severity of auto theft charges will depend upon the value of the vehicle stolen and if there were any aggravating circumstances involved, such as the use of a weapon. Various actions can lead to charges for grand larceny of a motor vehicle, including:  

• Failure to return a rented car
• Breaking into an unattended car and driving it away
• Agreeing to purchase a car but leaving with the vehicle before payment has been made
• Taking off with a car intended only for employment duties
• Driving away in a vehicle without the owner’s permission
• Forcing a person out of their vehicle and then taking it through the use of force or threats

If the individual did not have permission to take the vehicle, auto theft can be charged regardless of whether they were in possession of keys to the car, if the car was removed by a method other than driving, or if the car was only being borrowed for a short amount of time.

Penalties & Defenses for Grand Theft Auto

The penalties for grand theft auto differ depending on the value of the vehicle stolen. If the stolen vehicle is valued at less than $3,500, the offense will be charged as a category C felony punishable by:

• Incarceration in state prison for 1 to 5 years
• Fines up to $10,000
• Restitution to the victim

If the stolen vehicle is valued at $3,500 or more, the offense will be charged as a category B felony punishable by:

• Incarceration in state prison for 1 to 10 years
• Fines up to $10,000
• Restitution to the victim

If you or a loved one has been charged with auto theft in Las Vegas, it’s important to know your defense options before making any decisions about your case. Our experienced theft attorneys at De Castroverde Law Group can evaluate your unique situation to determine what legal options are available to fight the charges.

Depending upon the factors involved in the alleged crime, possible defenses to auto theft charges include:

• You are the rightful owner of the car that was purportedly stolen. 
• You borrowed the vehicle with permission from the owner, and there was no intention to commit auto theft.
• The prosecution cannot prove that a crime occurred because there were no witnesses to the alleged theft and the vehicle was never found in your possession.

Every situation is different, so it’s imperative to get a seasoned defense team on your side as soon as possible if you are facing auto theft charges in Clark County. De Castroverde Law Group is a family-run law firm in Las Vegas with an impressive record of success in all types of misdemeanor and felony cases. Contact our firm today to discuss your rights and defense options with our dedicated attorneys!