Things You'll Need:
- Internet access
- Computer
- Telephone
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Step 1
Seek legal advice. Of all the people who could provide you with information on the penalty for auto theft in California, the best source for this information is a criminal law attorney. You can easily find one who will give you a free initial consultation by getting in contact with the American Bar Association (see Resources below).
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Step 2
Understand what constitutes auto theft under California law as opposed to federal law. In this state, leased or rented vehicles worth more than $1,000 that have not been returned within 10 days of the owner's written request are considered stolen. Vehicles worth less than $1,000 are considered stolen if unreturned 20 days after a written request.
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Step 3
Know that in California, automobile theft is considered “grand theft” as opposed to “petty theft” and carries a maximum sentence of 1 year in prison.
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Step 4
Find a complete breakdown of theft categories with sentencing information for each in the California Penal Code (see Resources below). The entire legal code for California is free and available for searching on the Internet.
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Step 5
Take other factors into account when assessing penalties for auto theft. Second-time offenders may be eligible for increased jail time and/or fines at the judge's discretion.
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Step 6
See what other kinds of help are available to you if you're the victim of theft. Following up with a victim's advocacy group such as the National Center for Victims of Crime (see Resources below) can provide you with additional information on the crime you experienced and will point you in the direction of support resources.
