What Is The Difference Between Unauthorized Use Of A Motor Vehicle And Theft?
– RG, Texas
Answer:
There are a couple of differences between unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (UUMV) and theft. The prosecution does not have to prove in a UUMV case the person charged actually stole the vehicle. The prosecution only has to prove that the accused used the motor vehicle without the owner’s permission.
Theft requires that the state prove the accused actually took the motor vehicle or helped to take the vehicle.
A second difference is that UUMV is a state jail felony with a maximum punishment of 2 years in the state jail. Depending on the value of the vehicle, theft may be punished as a state jail or a third degree felony.
A third degree felony carries up to 10 years in prison. If the vehicle is more valuable, the prosecutor may choose a theft charge for the higher punishment range.
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