Auto Theft Penalties

The Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992 was approved by Congress to institute federal penalties for several auto theft crimes, particularly carjacking. The Act strengthened the 1984 Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act, in which Congress first addressed the growing problem of auto theft in the U.S. The federal penalties approved as a result of the 1992 Act can, in some cases, result in life imprisonment and even death.

Auto theft is one of the nation's most familiar and common crimes. Each year, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, more than one million cars are stolen from the nation's roads. Congress passed the Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1984 to address the problem and has subsequently strengthened the law, passing the Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992 to address carjackings. The federal penalties for auto theft can be severe and, in some cases, result in life imprisonment:

Florida is a hotbed for auto theft. With lots of urban areas, plenty of tourists and more people moving into the state, opportunities abound for car thieves. Even if you take appropriate precautions, your car could still be among the more than 1 million that will be stolen in the United States this year. Though only a small percentage of auto thefts result in an arrest, if your case is among those that do, you will want to get information on the penalty the thief who stole your car may face.

Auto theft is a serious offense; arm yourself with information on the penalty the thief could face to understand the ensuing legal proceedings.

More than 1 million cars are stolen every year in the United States, making auto theft one of the most common crimes in the felony classification. New York is consistently among the top 10 states for auto theft, with the majority of these thefts occurring in New York City. For the victims of auto theft, having information on the penalty for this crime is helpful during the investigation process. For thieves, having information on the penalty for their crime is useful in preparing their defense.

Texas is a big state, and as such, it has ample opportunities for auto thieves to ply their trade. An automobile is stolen every 26 seconds in the United States, and plenty of those thefts happen in Texas. In fact, Western states such as Texas have seen an increase in auto theft cases in recent years. If you become one of the unlucky ones who experiences auto theft, you will want information on what penalty the thief may face for taking your car.