Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

Re: Statute

In Michigan, what you described as �Joy Riding� is also known as �felony larceny of an automobile.� The fact that the keys were in it is irrelevant � without permission to drive the vehicle, it is larceny. The fact that the vehicle was left in an abandoned lot is also irrelevant. This would be considered a felony.

The statute of limitations on felonies (other than sex crimes, murder, etc.) is generally 6 years. Any time the person spends out of the state does not count towards those 6 years. For example, if the person committed the crime, was not caught for 5 years, moved to Florida for 10 years, and then moved back to Michigan, the police would still have 1 year left to prosecute the person (even though it is now 15 years after the crime.)

A person would be MUCH better off hiring a criminal defense attorney, and letting the criminal defense attorney help him/her in this situation. You would be surprised how lenient a Judge can be when it is warranted. I, personally, would hate to have to look over my shoulder for 6 years, worrying that I could be caught at any time.

Good luck!