Savannah GA Car Theft Lawyer

Car Theft in Georgia

 

The crime of car theft is a serious one, and depending on the circumstances surrounding the event, it can have a varying degree of legal consequences. Let's take the crime of carjacking as an example. Say you are sitting in your car idling at a stop light and someone suddenly runs up to your driver's side window brandishing a firearm while demanding that you get out of the car or be shot. If you do exit the vehicle and the carjacker winds up driving away and is later caught, that individual is going to be facing the very serious offense of carjacking, which can in fact be prosecuted on the federal level. The penalty for this kind of carjacking auto theft can include up to fifteen years in prison.

 

There are a number of less threatening ways that thieves steal cars, such as breaking into a parked vehicle and hot-wiring the ignition and then taking off, stealing the keys to a vehicle while the owner was unaware, and even more involved and inventive schemes such as a valet parking lot attendant getting a key made. It is not something that we like to think about, but family members have been known to steal a set of keys or have a key made and either take a car without permission, or enable a friend or acquaintance to do so. There is even the less severe crime of using a car that without permission (technically, auto theft) that you have been lent in the past by a friend or family member.

 

Because of the many different circumstances that can surround an instance of car theft, from a teenager taking his or her parents' keys to an armed and violent intrusion into your vehicle while you are at the wheel, the penalties sought by the prosecution can vary a great deal. If you are accused of auto theft, the best course of action is to retain the services of an experienced Georgia criminal defense attorney as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Your future and your very freedom are at stake, and a good lawyer who has a background successfully handling car theft cases will provide you with the professional advocacy that you need to minimize the impact of any car theft charge.

If you are charged with car theft in Savannah, then contact a seasoned Georgia criminal lawyer immediately to protect your rights.