{"id":374073,"date":"2018-02-20T17:51:45","date_gmt":"2018-02-20T22:51:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-auto-theft-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-02-20T17:53:33","modified_gmt":"2018-02-20T22:53:33","slug":"michigan-auto-theft-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-auto-theft-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Auto Theft Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Michigan 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 updated\n

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While theft laws can vary from state to state, they’re generally defined as taking someone else’s property without permission. Most states also require that the offender intends<\/a> to permanently deprive the victim of the property. Some states include auto theft within their general theft<\/a> statutes, while other states have a separate statute that specifically addresses the theft of a car. In Michigan, the theft of a car is a separate statute from its other statutes addressing theft<\/a>. Of note, Michigan’s auto theft laws prohibit the theft of motor vehicles, which includes any vehicles driven by mechanical power, but that does not include traction engines, road rollers and such vehicles that only run on rails or tracks.<\/p>\n

In addition to Michigan’s auto theft laws, there’s also a statute that specifically addresses the consequences for using someone else’s motor vehicle without permission, but also without the intent to steal the motor vehicle. If this occurs, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,500 or imprisonment for not more than 2 years. If it’s a first offense, the punishment may be reduced to a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment of not more than 3 months.<\/p>\n

Michigan Auto Theft Laws Overview<\/h2>\n

Below you’ll find key provisions of auto theft laws in Michigan.<\/p>\n\n
Statute(s)<\/b><\/td>\n

Michigan Compiled Laws Section 750.413<\/a> (Taking possession and driving away a motor vehicle<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

What’s Prohibited?<\/b><\/td>\n

It’s prohibited to wilfully and without authority take possession of and drive\/take away any motor vehicle that belongs to someone else. It’s also prohibited to assist anyone doing so.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Charges and Penalties<\/b><\/td>\nViolation of this statue is a felony that’s punishable by a prison term not exceeding 5 years.<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Related Statute(s)<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Michigan Compiled Laws<\/p>\n