Maryland Joyriding Lawyer

Joyriding along with auto theft of any type is considered a serious legal violation and could incur severe consequences. A person who is charged with joyriding should immediately contact a knowledgeable Maryland joyriding lawyer. A skilled auto theft attorney could examine the factors surrounding a person’s case and work to establish a credible defense. If you or a loved one were arrested for an alleged joyriding offense, call and schedule a legal consultation to start discussing potential defense strategies.

Understanding a Joyriding Offense

Despite what is called joyriding in the popular lexicon, according to Maryland law, it is the unauthorized removal of property. It is taking property away from another or off that person’s property without permission. This definition applies whether it is a motor vehicle, a vessel, or livestock. A person who is convicted of a joyriding offense could face extensive legal consequences as well as create a permanent criminal record. A criminal record could reduce a person’s ability to obtain gainful employment or entry into a university for the purposes of higher learning. Someone who is charged with any type of joyriding violation should speak with an experienced Maryland joyriding lawyer as soon as possible. 

Joyriding as a Theft Violation

Joyriding is commonly considered a theft offense, because it is categorized in the Criminal Code of Maryland under the general title that includes theft charges. It is similar to theft in that it is taking property or a vehicle without permission. More specifically, joyriding can be differentiated from a traditional theft charge as there generally is not the element of intent to permanently keep the vehicle or permanently deprive the owner of the property. For a theft case, the government needs to prove that the accused intended to deprive the rightful owner of the property permanently. Whether the accused intended to keep the property or sell it to a third party, the point is that they allegedly intended to prevent the rightful owner from getting the property back.

For unauthorized removal of property and theft, the initial elements are the same. Frequently, a person charged with theft or unauthorized removal of property would be accused of taking a motor vehicle from another person without permission. However, for unauthorized removal of property there typically is no intent to deprive the rightful owner of the vehicle permanently. As a result, a person who allegedly took a vehicle with the intent to abandon or even return the property may not completely fall under the category of a traditional theft charge. 

Failure to Return a Leased Vehicle

A failure to return a leased vehicle may be considered joyriding, because it could fall under the element of unauthorized removal of property. Even though the initial taking of the vehicle was with permission, once they fail to return it, the custody of the vehicle reverts back to the rightful owner. Therefore, continuing to use it could meet the elements of unauthorized removal of property. In short, by continuing to use the vehicle beyond the terms of lease or by failure to pay the lease or return the vehicle, it could be considered a form of joyriding or unauthorized removal of property as defined in Maryland.

Common Joyriding Offense Examples

Some examples of joyriding include the classic scenario of someone taking another person’s car and then returning it or ditching it in a nearby place. That example would typically be charged as joyriding or unauthorized use of property in Maryland. However, there needs to be an indication that a person did not intend to keep the vehicle permanently. 

Other times, it could be a similar situation involving a family member or an acquaintance. Perhaps somebody wants to use a car for errands or for the weekend and the person who owns the vehicle refuses to give the person permission, but the person takes the car anyway. There is not necessarily the intention to keep the car or to steal it permanently, but they took possession of it and used the vehicle without permission. Someone who is charged with joyriding or any similar offense, should contact an adept Maryland joyriding lawyer. 

Speak to a Joyriding Attorney in Maryland

A joyriding conviction could result in severe legal penalties. If you or a family member were accused of committing such an offense, it may be beneficial to seek the legal guidance of a professional Maryland joyriding lawyer. Call and arrange for an appointment to start building a credible and strategic defense.