Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

UDAA is Unlawful Driving Away of an Automobile. It is a felony.

It is wilfully and without authority taking possession of and driving or taking away, or assisting in, or being a party to taking possession, driving or taking away, of a motor vehicle the belongs to another person. It does not require an intent to steal (permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle). So, it has to be a willful taking of someone else's vehicle, and the defendant did not have authority to take it.

"Joyriding" (a less serious crime) is when you get the vehicle with permission and keep it longer than you were allowed to have it, or you are using it for a purpose the owner did not allow for.

Simply put, it's AUTO THEFT. "She let me take it" is one of the most often used, but lamest of, defenses.