Theft Crimes / Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, Greater Boston MA Criminal Defense Lawyers
About Larceny of a Motor Vehicle in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts law, “larceny of a stolen vehicle” refers to much more than the simple act of stealing a car. The charge of larceny of a stolen vehicle can be leveled against an individual caught hot-wiring a car, but also against anyone who buys, receives, conceals or is simply found in possession of a car that he/she should “reasonably” have known had been stolen. This last legal clause can be difficult to prove, so district attorneys pay special attention when the car’s identifying numbers, including the license plate or interior serial numbers have been altered or intentionally removed.
Criminal Penalties in Massachusetts for Convictions of Larceny of a Motor Vehicle
Compared to other types of larceny, a conviction for larceny of a motor vehicle carries extremely stiff penalties:
- Up to 15 years in state prison and fines of up to $15,000.
- If you have a previous count of larceny of a motor vehicle on your record, that mandates a minimum prison term of one year, and
- If you are found to have knowingly concealed a stolen car or its thief, you are subject to penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $5,000.
If you have been caught stealing or attempting to steal a car or truck, our criminal defense lawyers will try to plead you down to a lesser charge (if this is your first offense), which is often contingent on making restitution and/or completing a probationary period.
Free Consultation – Experienced Brockton, MA Car Theft Attorney
If you have been accused of knowingly receiving, buying or holding a stolen vehicle, our lawyers know that to get a conviction, the prosecutor must prove you had knowledge that the vehicle was stolen. The expert vehicle theft attorneys at our law firm may be able to demonstrate that you were ignorant of the car’s provenance, and assert that you should not be prosecuted for larceny, although you may still be subject to a fine.
Serving all of Southeastern MA including the counties of Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth.
No matter where you are located, we are just a phone call away. Call our Massachusetts Larceny Defense Attorneys at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan to schedule a free no-obligation case review and consultation at (508) 588-0422 and you will have taken your first step to find out how best to confront this important matter. You can also click here to use our Free Case Evaluation Form.
