Motor Vehicle Theft And Unauthorized Use

Current law criminalizes auto theft as "aggravated motor vehicle theft in the first degree" and "aggravated motor vehicle theft in the second degree". The penalties for both aggravated motor vehicle thefts are based on the value of the vehicle or vehicles stolen.

The bill changes the term of the offense "aggravated motor vehicle theft" to "motor vehicle theft". The elements for motor vehicle theft in the first degree and second degree are changed and motor vehicle theft in the third degree is created. The penalties for motor vehicle theft are no longer based on the value of the vehicle or vehicles stolen. Motor vehicle theft in the first degree is a class 3 felony, motor vehicle theft in the second degree is a class 4 felony, and motor vehicle theft in the third degree is a class 5 felony.

The bill creates the offense "unauthorized use of a motor vehicle" and makes it a class 1 misdemeanor, or a class 5 felony for a second or subsequent offense.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)