What is the definition of Grand Theft Auto?

Q: What is a grand theft auto charge?

A grand theft auto charge is a legal accusation against someone for unlawfully taking or controlling another person's vehicle with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. In Arizona, this is considered a serious crime, classified as a class 3 felony (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1814).

Q: What does grand theft auto mean in police?

In police terms, grand theft auto refers to the crime of stealing a vehicle. It involves taking someone else's vehicle with the intent to permanently keep it. Law enforcement may investigate and charge individuals under state laws, such as Arizona's class 3 felony statute (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1814).

Q: What is the legal definition of grand theft auto?

Legally, grand theft auto is defined as the theft of a vehicle, where a person takes or controls someone else's vehicle with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. In Arizona, this crime is classified as a class 3 felony (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1814).

Full question:

What does Grand Theft Auto mean? Is it the actual taking of a vehicle w/o the persons' knowledge? I was given a vehicle to make payments on, haven't been able to make the payments for a year and half and this person is aware and I've told the person to come and get the car, but she is another state. The car was brought to me in Oct. 2005. Now the girl, wants the car back and says that she is going to get me for Grand Theft Auto, so I just wanted to know the definition.

Category: Courts
Subcategory: Legal Definitions
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Arizona

Answer:

In Arizona, Grand Theft Auto refers to the theft of a means of transportation. A person commits this crime if they:

Control someone else's vehicle with the intent to permanently deprive them of it.
Use someone else's vehicle beyond the authorized time or for unauthorized purposes.
Obtain a vehicle through misrepresentation with the intent to keep it permanently.
Take control of a lost or misdelivered vehicle without making reasonable efforts to notify the owner.
Possess a vehicle knowing it is stolen.

The crime is classified as a class 3 felony (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1814).

Additionally, if someone takes control of another person's vehicle without the intent to permanently deprive them, it may be classified as unlawful use of means of transportation, which is a lower-level offense (class 5 or class 6 felony, depending on the circumstances) (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1803).

If the person who claims the vehicle is aware of your situation and you have communicated your willingness to return the car, it may affect the legal standing of any claims they make against you.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone commits grand theft auto?

Committing grand theft auto means unlawfully taking or controlling someone else's vehicle with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. This can include using the vehicle without permission or obtaining it through fraud. In Arizona, this act is classified as a class 3 felony under Arizona Revised Statutes (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1814).

What is a grand theft auto charge?

What does grand theft auto mean in police?

What does it mean to be charged with grand theft auto?

Being charged with grand theft auto means that law enforcement believes you unlawfully took or controlled someone else's vehicle with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. This charge can lead to serious legal consequences, including potential imprisonment, as it is classified as a class 3 felony in Arizona (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1814).

What is the legal definition of grand theft auto?

What does grand theft auto mean in real life?

In real life, grand theft auto refers to the act of stealing a car or vehicle. It involves taking someone else's vehicle without permission and with the intent to keep it permanently. This crime can have serious legal consequences, including felony charges and potential jail time in states like Arizona (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1814).