Auto theft charges in Arizona are serious and a conviction can bring catastrophic consequences. If you face auto theft charges, you should consider reaching out to Chuck Franklin Law as soon as possible, as your legal rights are on the line. At Chuck Franklin Law, we have almost 40 years of experience representing clients who have faced serious felonies in the state of Arizona.
Under Arizona’s auto theft statute, a person may be found guilty of auto theft if that person unlawfully controls another person’s vehicle or means of transportation with the intent to take that vehicle or means of transportation permanently. Auto theft pertains to any form of transportation, such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles, among others. As such, theft of a motorcycle is just as serious a crime as stealing a luxury vehicle.
A person may also be found guilty of auto theft if that person takes another person’s vehicle for a certain period without lawful authority or obtains another person’s vehicle through material misrepresentation with the intent of permanently depriving the other person of such vehicle. Additionally, a person who knowingly accepts a stolen mode of transportation may be found guilty of auto theft. Under Arizona law, all forms of auto theft are Class 3 Felonies, which carry potentially harsh jail sentences, fines, and lifelong consequences.
Under Arizona law, a person convicted of auto theft faces a Class 3 Felony, which carries a presumptive prison sentence of 3.5 years, and a maximum prison sentence of 7 years for first-time felony offenders. If mitigating circumstances apply to a person’s case, which minimizes the severity of the crime, the prison sentence may be reduced to between 2 and 2.5 years. If aggravating circumstances apply to a person’s case, the prison sentence may be enhanced to 8.75 years.
For repeat felony offenders, the potential prison sentence associated with a class 3 felony in Arizona varies based on the category of the felony at issue, as shown in the table below.
| Category of Felony | Mitigating Circumstances | Minimum Term | Presumptive Term | Maximum Term | Aggravating Circumstances |
| Category 1 | 2 Years | 2.5 Years | 3.5 Years | 7 Years | 8.75 Years |
| Category 2 | 3.25 Years | 4.5 Years | 6.5 Years | 13 Years | 16.25 Years |
| Category 3 | 7.5 Years | 10 Years | 11.25 Years | 20 Years | 25 Years |
Because all cases are different based on the nature of a person’s prior felony convictions, speaking with a qualified Arizona criminal defense attorney is an important step to consider when legal rights are on the line. All felony convictions lead to the loss of certain constitutional rights, such as the right to own a firearm or vote (at least temporarily). Some convicted individuals may face the permanent loss of voting rights.
Are you facing auto theft charges? If so, contacting an experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney can help ensure your legal rights remain protected. At Chuck Franklin Law, we possess decades of experience and have represented the rights of accused Arizonians since 1987.