{"id":371491,"date":"2017-08-18T19:17:59","date_gmt":"2017-08-19T00:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-auto-theft-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-03-10T03:27:05","modified_gmt":"2018-03-10T08:27:05","slug":"arizona-auto-theft-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-auto-theft-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Auto Theft Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Arizona Auto Theft Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last reviewed\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Auto theft is a serious issue in Arizona. The state regularly ranks in the top 10 states in the nation for total vehicles stolen. So it should come as no surprise that Arizona has very strict laws punishing people who take vehicles without consent.<\/p>\n

The crime of auto theft is known as theft of means of transportation under Arizona law. It criminalizes most actions involved with taking a person’s means of transportation<\/a> without their permission. In fact, you can be convicted of auto theft if you use a vehicle rightfully in your possession in an unauthorized manner.<\/p>\n

Overview of Arizona Drug Trafficking Laws<\/h2>\n

Below, you will find key provisions of Arizona\u2019s Auto Theft Law.<\/p>\n\n

Arizona Statutes<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Statutory Definitions<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Means of Transportation<\/b>: any vehicle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    • Control<\/b>: Act so as to exclude others from using their property except on the defendant’s own terms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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      • Deprive:<\/b> Withhold the property interest of another either permanently or for a period where a substantial portion of its economic value or usefulness or enjoyment is lost, to withhold with the intent to restore it only on payment of any reward or other compensation, or to transfer or dispose of it so that it is unlikely to be recovered.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Penalties and Sentences<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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  • First Offense<\/b>
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    • Class 3 felony<\/li>\n
    • Sentencing Range: probation with no jail to 1 year in jail<\/li>\n
    • If Aggravated Circumstances: 2 to 8.75 years in prison<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Second Offense <\/b>
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      • Class 3 felony<\/li>\n
      • Sentencing Range: 3.5 years to 16.25 years in prison<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Third Offense<\/b>
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        • Class 3 Felony<\/li>\n
        • Sentencing Range: 7.5 to 25 years in prison<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Defenses<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n