Grand Theft Auto

Marty V. Miller is dedicated to providing his clients with superior legal representation, and is committed to obtaining the best result possible.

Grand Theft Auto Attorney

In California, a theft offense may be charged as a petty theft or grand theft. Typically, a grand theft involves a theft of property valued at more than $950. In the case of auto theft, however, the prosecution does not have to prove that the value of the vehicle allegedly stolen exceeds $950.

Speak to a Riverside and San Diego Grand Theft Auto Defense Lawyer Today!

If you have taken a vehicle that is not yours, you may have been charged with grand theft auto, or you may have been charged with the unlawful taking or driving of a vehicle (sometimes referred to as joyriding). If this is the case, please contact a Riverside and San Diego grand theft auto defense attorney by calling us at (951) 289-0962, at (858) 252-2743 or contact us by e-mail.

Grand Theft Auto Charges in Riverside and San Diego

To convict a defendant of grand theft auto (GTA), the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intended to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle (intent to steal).

Joyriding Charges in Riverside and San Diego

To convict a person of the lesser offense of unlawful taking of a vehicle (joyriding), the prosecution must only prove that the defendant intended to temporarily deprive the owner of his or her vehicle (unlawfully drove the vehicle without the consent of the owner).

Defense of Grand Theft Auto Charges in Riverside and San Diego

We are committed to zealously defending your freedom, record and rights. Fortunately, there are a number of defenses we may raise if you have been charged with grand theft auto:

  • No intent to steal: If you simply intended to drive the vehicle a short distance or for a short time, you may be guilty only of the lesser offense of joyriding.
  • Consent: If the owner consented to your use of a vehicle, you are not guilty of a criminal offense. For example, you use a friend’s van or truck with his or her consent because you need to move furniture or perform other tasks. Such a defense will not make sense if the vehicle is owned by a stranger, but may be potentially viable if the vehicle was owned by a parent, sibling, former spouse, neighbor, boyfriend or girlfriend.
  • Mistaken identity: As with many other charges, people are sometimes falsely accused of grand theft auto because they have been mistakenly identified.

In addition to such defenses that may be used at trial, we may negotiate with the prosecution to seek a favorable plea agreement. Since grand theft auto is often charged as a felony, a plea to a lesser misdemeanor offense may be in your best interests depending on the strength of the prosecution’s case. If you have been charged with misdemeanor joyriding, we may be able to negotiate a plea agreement that will help you avoid a criminal conviction or significantly reduce the penalties that are imposed by the court.

In some cases, individuals accused of grand theft auto may also be charged with auto burglary, since they have broken into the vehicle for the purpose of theft. We may seek a plea agreement in such cases to allow our client to plead guilty to just one offense and that offense might potentially be a lesser offense of joyriding or a related lesser offense.

Of course, there are numerous potential outcomes that may be obtained by negotiating a plea agreement or by fighting your charges at trial. If retained as your counsel, we will use our knowledge of California law and experience gained from defending hundreds of clients against criminal charges to actively pursue the most favorable result in your case.

Contact Us

To schedule a free consultation with one of our Riverside and San Diego grand theft auto lawyers, call (951) 289-0962, at (858) 252-2743 or contact us by e-mail.

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Riverside Office Location

3890 11th Street, #450
Riverside, CA 92501
Tel: (951) 289-0962 Fax: (951) 413-0027

San Diego Office Location

501 W Broadway, Ste 800
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: (858) 252-2743 Fax: (619) 819-2038


San Bernardino Location

473 E. Carnegie Dr., Ste 200
San Bernardino, CA, 92408
Tel: (909) 327-2474 Fax: (909) 424-3417