How to Find Information on the Penalty for Auto Theft in New York

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.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access
• Computer

1. Peruse the laws of New York. Also known as the state statutes, these are the full text of the laws of New York, including the penal code, which lists the penalty for crimes in the state. You can access the laws of New York online (see Resources below). The information on auto theft is found in Article 155, section 30.

2. Get professional legal advice if you are accused of auto theft. Attorneys licensed to practice law in New York and who focus their practice on criminal law are the best source of information on the penalty for auto theft in the state. Contact the American Bar Association (see Resources below) for a referral to a qualified attorney.

3. Be aware that in New York, auto theft is considered grand larceny in the fourth degree. This type of crime is a Class E felony in New York.

4. Understand that in New York, the maximum sentence for a Class E felony offense is 4 years in prison. However, this sentence only applies to first offenses. The sentence could be longer for repeat offenses of this same type of crime.

5. Seek help if yo are a victim of a crime. After getting your legal information, take care of yourself. If you have had your car stolen, you probably feel outraged and indignant. You may also need legal advice regarding pressing charges against the thief. If you need help with legal or emotional matters after an auto theft, contact the National Center for Victims of Crime (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• In New York, crime victims are legally entitled to fair treatment by the courts. What constitutes fair treatment is determined primarily by the chief administrator of the courts.
• Car alarms have been shown to be the least effective of all security measures for your vehicle due to the high rate of false alarms. It's like the boy who cried wolf—people don't pay attention to car alarms anymore, thus making them weak deterrents to thieves. Security measures such as wheel locks and satellite-based tracking devices are more effective at preventing theft than alarms.
• Don't store valuables inside your vehicle. If you do, make sure they are well hidden when you are not in the car. Leaving things like money, jewelry and electronics on the seat in plain view is an enticement to car thieves.

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