When facing a criminal accusation of any kind, you may be worried about your immediate future if the potential penalties following a conviction include jail time. In regards to a joyriding case, you may be facing severe penalties and could possibly be charged as a felony offense. If you have been formally accused, reach out to a skilled criminal attorney today. A Plantation joyriding lawyer could work with you to determine your options for building a solid legal defense.
What is Joyriding?
Joyriding is considered as the taking of a vehicle without somebody’s permission with the intent of returning it at some point. Florida does not prosecute the crime or charge of joyriding. These cases would be prosecuted as grand theft auto, which is punishable by up to five years in prison. Florida does not distinguish between the intent to permanently deprive or temporarily deprive somebody of their right or usage to an automobile.
Penalties of Joyriding or Grand Theft Charge
Joyriding, otherwise known in Fort Lauderdale as grand theft auto, is a felony offense. This crime would be charged as a third-degree offense punishable by up to five years in state prison. It is a felony that carries the possibility of a felony conviction. The potential punishment and ramifications of a felony conviction are severe enough to warrant the hiring of a Fort Lauderdale grand theft attorney or felony theft attorney.
Elements Needed to be Proved in a Joyriding Case
To convict a person of joyriding, a prosecutor would have to prove that the individual who took the vehicle did so without the rightful owner’s permission, that the individual took it with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of their use, enjoyment or benefit of the vehicle, and they would have to prove that the item in question was an automobile. A Plantation joyriding lawyer could make it difficult for the prosecution to prove these elements.
Failing to Return a Leased Vehicle
Failure to return a leased vehicle is similar to joyriding since an individual may have leased a vehicle without the intent to ever return the vehicle. However, this type of offense may be looked at differently since the original intent of the individual when they first obtained the use of a vehicle was to lawfully have possession of it at some point in time, but the permission was withdrawn by the owner. It would depend upon the expiration of the lease agreement and what attempts, if any, the rightful owner took to get the vehicle back.
How Could an Attorney Help?
If you have been accused of a joyriding offense, you may be facing serious penalties that may involve hefty fines and significant jail time. Luckily, with the help of a Plantation joyriding lawyer, you may be able to lessen the severity of your accusation. By working with one of our Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert, you may be able to gather all relevant evidence, interview effective witnesses, and organize the details of your case. To learn more, or to get started on a case, reach out to an experienced injury attorney today.
