Defending Motor Vehicle Theft Charges in Utah
A charge for receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle carries the same potential penalties as motor vehicle theft under Utah criminal law – including the potential for a felony conviction and up to 15 years in prison.
If you are facing criminal charges in Utah, it is important to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side. Stephen Howard been protecting clients’ rights since 1999, and has the knowledge and experience necessary to help you.
The best defense attorneys challenge the status quo through ethical advocacy both in and out of the courtroom.
Contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation and case analysis.
Elements of a Charge – Transferring or Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle
When Utah police recover a vehicle that is believed to be stolen, they may not be able to determine who originally stole the vehicle. Unless police obtain a confession or locate an eyewitness who can identify the person who stole the vehicle, it can be difficult for police and prosecutors to obtain a conviction for an ordinary charge of vehicle theft.
To overcome these difficulties, Utah prosecutors will sometimes file a charge referred to under Utah law as “receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer.”
The best attorneys understand your case involves more than just what happens in court.
This offense only requires proof that the defendant had “in his possession any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that he knows or has reason to believe has been stolen or unlawfully taken.” Utah police investigating a charge of receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle will often look at the condition of the vehicle for circumstantial evidence in an attempt to prove the required intent.
Was the ignition damaged? Had the vehicle been hot wired? Were the keys to the vehicle present? If the vehicle is undamaged and the suspect can offer a plausible explanation for how the vehicle was obtained, the chances of beating the charge are improved.
What do I do if I am contacted by police?
If you are contacted by police in connection with a vehicle that is suspected to be stolen, you may be better off exercising your fifth amendment right to remain silent, even if you have a good explanation for how you obtained the vehicle.
Understanding your goals is the first step to developing the best defense strategy.
Talking to police in the field does not always help your case. Your wisest course of action may be to consult first with an attorney to determine when, how, and if you should present your side of the story.
Finding a Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer
Receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle in Utah is a felony charge that can result in a prison term of up to 15 years. Defending a Utah criminal case can be complicated, and the stakes are high.
The Utah criminal court system involves a complex set of procedural rules. Understanding how constitutional protections and statutory and procedural rights apply to the specific facts of your case requires an experienced Utah criminal defense attorney.
Choosing the right attorney can be the most important decision you make.
If you are accused of receiving or possessing a stolen vehicle, you need an attorney with a record of real results. Our team offers legal services to clients throughout Utah. If you are facing criminal prosecution in Utah, contact us now to schedule an initial consultation.
