How to Find Information on the Penalty for Auto Theft in Ohio

Ohio suffers from plenty of auto theft, just like the rest of the country. In this common crime, car thieves often run in organized groups that have sophisticated operations. In Ohio, as in other areas, many stolen cars are taken to a facility where they can be stripped down and sold for parts. There is money to be made in auto theft, and so there will always be people willing to engage in this illegal activity. If your vehicle is stolen, having information on the penalty for auto theft in Ohio can help you feel more empowered throughout the lengthy investigation and prosecution process.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet access
• Computer
• Telephone

1. Know that an attorney is your best option. Attorneys are not just for those who have been arrested or accused of a crime. You can consult an attorney with any legal questions you may have, including getting information on the penalty for auto theft. Find an attorney specializing in criminal law through the American Bar Association (see Resources below).
2. Look up the actual law regarding auto theft in Ohio and its penalties. The laws of Ohio can be found online at the Ohio Revised Code (see Resources below). The section on auto theft is in Chapter 29, Title 13.
3. Understand that the penalty for auto theft in North Carolina will vary according to the circumstances of the crime. Stealing a car is generally a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, if a car is stolen and taken across state lines or kept for more than 48 hours, the crime becomes a fifth degree felony. If the crime victim is elderly or disabled, the crime is also a felony, with the degree of felony becoming more serious as the value of the car stolen increases.
4. Know that a Class 1 misdemeanor in North Carolina carries a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail. Felony offenses can incur lengthier sentences depending on the degree of felony and the individual circumstances of the crime, such as whether a weapon was used and if it is a repeat offense.
5. Find out what other options you may have as a victim of crime. In addition to knowing about the penalty for auto theft, there may be other legalities you need to know about. Get the facts you need by following up with the National Center for Victims of Crime (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Help the police find your car more easily if it's stolen. Installing a tracking device will allow the police to track your car's movements, enabling them to pinpoint its location, catch up with it and hopefully apprehend the thief. Tracking devices can be purchased at auto supply stores as well as some general merchandise stores.
• If you have been accused of auto theft in Ohio, you have the right to a trial by jury. You are also entitled to waive this right, if you so choose. In this case, the judge would be the only one to decide your guilt or innocence and any applicable penalty.
• Car alarms are often not effective deterrents to auto theft. They can even contribute to noise pollution and be an annoyance to neighbors, and some communities are now pushing for car alarm bans for these very reasons. When choosing an anti-theft device, it is better to look beyond alarms.