Legal Question in Criminal Law in Louisiana

Re: unauthorized use of a vehicle

That is right. UUV is a misdemeanor and GTA almost always a felony.

Jacek W. Lentz, Esq.

310.273.1361

www.lentzlawfirm.com

Re: unauthorized use of a vehicle

Unauthorized use of a vehicle, if you are talking about Veh. Code section 10854, occurs when you legally have possession of a car, but not permission to use or drive the car. For example, your friend asks if he can park his car in your driveway while he's on vacation and while it's there you take it on a road trip, or rent it out to your friends, all along intending to give it back when your friend returns. The offense is a misdemeanor.

Grand Theft of an auto is a felony. It can be reduced to a misdemeanor, but normally is a felony. A theft is taking property you don't have a legal claim to with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property.

Good luck,

Elena

Re: unauthorized use of a vehicle

Unauthorized use of a vehicle, if you are talking about Veh. Code section 10854, occurs when you legally have possession of a car, but not permission to use or drive the car. For example, your friend asks if he can park his car in your driveway while he's on vacation and while it's there you take it on a road trip, or rent it out to your friends, all along intending to give it back when your friend returns. The offense is a misdemeanor.

Grand Theft of an auto is a felony. It can be reduced to a misdemeanor, but normally is a felony. A theft is taking property you don't have a legal claim to with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property.

Good luck,

Elena

Re: unauthorized use of a vehicle

Intent to permanently deprive is the difference. The penalty for unauthorized use of a vehicle (movable) is a misdemeanor if the value is under $1,000 and is a felony if over $1,000.