Possession of Stolen Vehicle in NC

Possession can be defined as either “actual” or “constructive” in North Carolina. As a matter of fact, if you’re found driving a stolen vehicle, that can be considered “actual possession”. On the other hand, if contents belonging to you are located in a trunk of a stolen car or when a stolen vehicle is found packed at a property that you have complete control of, that’s “constructive possession.”

The prosecutors may use a different kind of inculpatory evidence to prove the person facing the charges had knowledge that the vehicle was stolen. One of the ways to do this is through the defendant’s confession. If the person facing the charges acknowledges the same to law enforcement officers, the admission may be used against them in court. That’s why it’s important to be very keen on what you say when you get arrested for suspicion of possessing, transferring, or receiving a stolen vehicle.

In North Carolina, the general larceny laws are used when charging people found in possession of stolen vehicles. According to NC criminal statutes, larceny is taking another person’s property (in this case, a vehicle) without their permission with the goal of permanently robbing them of it.

Under these laws, you can be charged with a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the dollar value of the stolen vehicle. If the stolen vehicle’s monetary value exceeds $1,000, that’s considered a Class H felony. In contrast, if its value is under a thousand dollars, the person is charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.

To be found guilty of the Class H felony, the state must prove beyond any reasonable doubt that:

• You were illegally possessing the vehicle without permission or required legal authority
• You know or should have reasonably known or believed that the automobile was illegally owned or stolen

It’s your right to get legal representation when any charges are pressed against you. Therefore, if you have been indicted for possessing a stolen vehicle, get in touch as soon as possible with North Carolina stolen vehicle attorneys at King Law for expert consultation.

Apart from charges due to being found in possession of a stolen vehicle, other auto-related charges that our North Carolina stolen vehicle lawyers may help you to deal with include:

• Unauthorized use of a vehicle: If you use another person’s vehicle without permission but with no intention to permanently keep it, this is considered a misdemeanor rather than larceny.
• Theft of vehicle parts: This is treated as larceny; therefore, if the part is worth more than $1,000, the person is guilty of a felony, else it’s a misdemeanor.
• Stealing vehicle fuel: This is a misdemeanor, and could lead the defendant’s driver’s license to be revoked, but it can lead to severe penalties if the offense is a repeat one.

According to state law, you’re innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, you have a chance to defend yourself against any charges against you. The North Carolina stolen vehicle lawyers at King Law are here to help with this process.