Auto Theft Defense

Texas is a big state, and as such, it has ample opportunities for auto thieves to ply their trade. An automobile is stolen every 26 seconds in the United States, and plenty of those thefts happen in Texas. In fact, Western states such as Texas have seen an increase in auto theft cases in recent years

Port and border cities like San Antonio experience higher rates of theft - Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows that 40 percent of all auto thefts (450,000 yearly) occur in or around ports and border communities. More than 200,000 vehicles are exported illegally from the United States every year according to the FBI. The city of San Antonio experienced almost 10,000 auto thefts last year.

"More and more vehicles are being targeted for export by thieves who sneak them out through ports and across borders," said Robert Bryant, president and chief executive officer of NICB, the insurance industry's theft and fraud-fighting organization. "People who live in these areas should take special care to protect their cars and trucks from thieves."

US and Canadian government agencies, and private insurers impacted by increases in the export of stolen vehicles, have created the North American Export Committee to combat the growing problem. The NAEC promotes the use of task forces, electronic data reporting and non-intrusive x-ray scanning machines to locate suspect containers before they go to sea. In its first three months of use at the port of Miami, a NAEC-supplied x-ray machine scanned 8,000 containers and paid for itself by recovering $217,000 in stolen vehicles.

Carjacking is a form of hijacking, where the crime is of stealing a motor vehicle and so also armed assault when the vehicle is occupied. Historically, such as in the rash of semi-trailer truck hijackings during the 1960s, the general term hijacking was used for that type of vehicle abduction, which did not often include kidnapping of the driver, and concentrated on the theft of the load, rather than the vehicle itself. During the later day car theft crime, typically, the carjacker is armed, and the driver is forced out of the car with the threat of bodily injury. In other rarer cases, the driver is kidnapped under the assault by a weapon and is retained as a passenger under duress, or made to drive his or her abductor. Women are particularly victimized in this latter method.

In the United States, a law was passed in 1992 making carjacking a federal crime. This occurred amidst great media attention into the apparent spate of carjacking thefts, several of which resulted in homicides. The November 29, 1992, killing of two Osceola County men by carjackers using a stolen 9mm pistol resulted in the first Federal prosecution of a fatal carjacking.

The United States Department of Justice estimates that in about half of all carjacking attempts, the attacker succeeds in stealing the victim's car. It's estimated that, between 1987 and 1992, about 35,000 carjacking attempts took place per year; and, between 1992 and 1996, about 49,000 attempts took place per year.

Auto Theft crimes are considered a serious offense in the state of Texas. Depending on the level of the crime and your criminal history, you may be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. If convicted, you may face a jail or prison sentence, pay monetary fines, and/or complete community service or probation. In addition, your chances of employment, credit, or housing opportunities may be damaged. If you were arrested and charged with an auto theft related crime in Texas, you will need to contact an experienced San Antonio criminal attorney to protect your rights.

As a San Antonio criminal attorney, I am dedicated to defend the rights of my clients accused of auto theft and other criminal related offenses. As a San Antonio auto theft attorney, I have an extensive background in Texas’s auto theft law and in the criminal justice system. I will investigate your case, challenge the charges of auto theft, and diligently work to create a strategic defense.

Whether you’re under investigation for a auto theft related crime, or are charged with carjacking, you need a San Antonio criminal lawyer who will aggressively fight to protect and defend your rights. Call Now!

As a San Antonio auto theft lawyer I have successfully defended numerous clients in Texas and have earned an excellent reputation over the years. I prepare each auto theft defense case as if it were to go to trial, so I will formulate a strong and compelling defense on your behalf. I also have experience negotiating with prosecutors resulting in minimal criminal charges, and in some cases even a complete case dismissal of the auto theft charges.

Don’t risk your future by not having the right auto theft attorney representing you. Make sure you contact me, a San Antonio criminal attorney today and obtain helpful legal advice and aggressive representation.

Sec. 31.07. UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A VEHICLE. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly operates another's boat, airplane, or motor-propelled vehicle without the effective consent of the owner.

(b) An offense under this section is a state jail felony.

We offer free consultation and case evaluations. Call Today to find out how I can help you with your case.

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