Nevada "Grand Larceny Auto" Laws

Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle
(NRS 205.228)

Explained by
Las Vegas Criminal Defense Lawyers

Stealing a car is a serious felony in Nevada carrying high fines, prison sentences and a marred criminal record that greatly diminishes your chances of getting a job. Keep reading to learn about Clark County auto theft law. And if you've been arrested call our Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys at 702-DEFENSE (702-333-3673) for a free consultation.

Definition

The legal definition of grand larceny of a motor vehicle in Las Vegas, Nevada, applies when someone "intentionally steals, takes and carries away, drives away or otherwise removes a motor vehicle owned by another person". Typical auto theft scenarios include:

• Breaking and entering an unattended vehicle and driving it away by hotwiring



• When someone steals a car that was temporarily entrusted to them as part of their employment (i.e. a valet or chauffeur)



• When someone who has access to the keys steals the car (such as the owner's child or friend)



• Agreeing to buy a car but then taking it without paying. This is called "fraudulent theft."



• Failing to return a car rental

In short, auto-theft in Nevada encompasses any situation where someone takes a car that doesn't belong to him/her without permission. Grand larceny of a car charges can still stand even if the suspect has the keys, if the doors were unlocked, if the car was towed away rather than driven, or if the suspect planned to return the car eventually.

The Las Vegas crime of carjacking is a more serious offense than straight auto-theft because it involves the suspect attempting to take a car by force, violence or threat. In cases of alleged carjacking, the suspect faces charges for not only the property crime of auto-theft but also the Nevada crime of robbery, battery, and/or assault.

Defenses

Every Nevada auto-theft case is different, and which defenses would work best will be determined by your attorney based on the situation and evidence. The most common strategies for fighting an NRS 205.228 violation include:

• No theft occurred. This defense is especially strong in cases where no eyewitnesses saw the alleged theft and where the car is never found in the suspect's possession.



• The car belonged to the suspect. A person shouldn't be found guilty of stealing a car that legally belongs to him/her. Title and registration records might be used as evidence.



• You borrowed with permission. If someone genuinely believed he/she had permission to borrow the car, then no auto theft took place. This is a tougher defense to prove because it involves demonstrating the suspect's state of mind. Circumstantial evidence such as how, where and when the car was taken may come in to suggest that there was no intention to steal.

Penalties

The standard punishments for a conviction of grand larceny of a motor vehicle in Nevada depend on the value of the vehicle at issue. If it's worth $2,500 or more, Las Vegas auto-theft is a category B felony in Nevada carrying:

• 1 to 10 years in prison, and



• a fine of not more than $10,000, and



• restitution

And if the car's value is less than $2,500, then Nevada auto-theft is a category C felony in Nevada carrying:

• 1 to 5 years in prison, and



• maybe a fine of not more than $10,000, and



• restitution

Depending on the case, the prosecutor may agree to a plea bargain for reduced fines or an extended payment plan.

Arrested? Call us now . . . .

If you've been charged with grand larceny of a motor vehicle in Clark County (NRS 205.228), then call our Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys at 702-DEFENSE today. We will do everything to try to get your case reduced or dismissed, and if you wish we are prepared to fight for you at trial as well.

To learn about California grand theft automobile law, go to our information page on California grand theft automobile law.

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