Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Theft Defense Lawyers in Milwaukee & Waukesha
Facing motor vehicle theft charges? In Wisconsin, the crime of car theft subjects you to severe consequences. Specifically, auto theft includes when you take, drive, or operate a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. Consequently, if you are criminally charged in Milwaukee, Waukesha, or elsewhere in Wisconsin with auto theft or carjacking, you need strong representation. However, the auto theft criminal defense lawyers in Milwaukee at Gamino Law Offices have experience defending motor vehicle theft offenses in Wisconsin.
Criminal Defense Lawyers Dedicated to Protecting Your Future, Your Reputation & Your Freedom
It is our goal to be the best Wisconsin criminal defense lawyers in Waukesha, Milwaukee, and Wisconsin. Therefore, we guard you, your rights, your reputation, your job, your future, and your freedom! Of course, if you have been arrested or charged with a motor vehicle theft crime in Milwaukee, WI, or anywhere in Wisconsin, you should call us right away. In particular, any time you are under investigation for a stolen vehicle offense in Wisconsin, tell police officers that you wish to speak with an attorney immediately. Specifically, early intervention by an experienced Milwaukee criminal defense lawyer makes all the difference in the outcome of a carjacking or auto theft criminal case in Wisconsin.
Indeed, not all criminal defense lawyers in Wisconsin have the trial skills and ability to present a compelling case in court or negotiate a favorable plea agreement. However, at Gamino Law Offices, our team of accomplished criminal trial and appellate attorneys possess an impressive record of winning litigation skills. Specifically, our team of Milwaukee criminal lawyers employs a full range of legal strategies, from pretrial motions to court and jury trials, and appeals. In summary, with more than 30 years of combined experience, we use our talent and aggressive ability necessary to get the results you need.
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Wisconsin Auto Theft Charges
Wisconsin Statute 943.23 defines Car Theft Offenses in Wisconsin, quoted in part below, as:
Whoever intentionally takes and drives, or operates any vehicle without the consent of the owner; and whoever knows that the owner does not consent to the driving or operation of a vehicle and intentionally accompanies, as a passenger in the vehicle, a person who takes, drives or operates any motor vehicle without the consent of the owner.
Wisconsin Statutes 943.23
* If the vehicle is taken while possessing a dangerous weapon, and by the use or threat of use of force or the weapon, the penalties are increased.
The jury instructions provide that in Wisconsin, a person charged with Motor Vehicle Theft may be convicted if:
Take & Drive Offenses:
The defendant:
intentionally took a vehicle without the consent of the owner.
intentionally drove a vehicle without the consent of the owner.
knew that the owner of the motor vehicle did not consent to taking and driving the motor vehicle.
Wisconsin JI-Criminal 1464
Driving or Operating Offenses:
The defendant:
intentionally drove or operated a vehicle without the consent of the owner.
knew that the owner did not consent to the driving or operating the vehicle.
Wisconsin JI-Criminal 1465
Car Jacking:
The defendant:
intentionally took a vehicle without the consent of the owner.
knew that the owner did not consent to the taking.
took the vehicle while possessing a dangerous weapon.
took the vehicle by the use or threat of use of force or a dangerous weapon.
Wisconsin JI-Criminal 1463
Passenger in a Stolen Vehicle:
If the defendant:
intentionally drove or operated a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner.
intentionally accompanied the person as a passenger in the vehicle.
knew that the owner did not consent to the driving or operating of the vehicle.
* It is an affirmative defense if the defendant abandoned the vehicle without damage within 24 hours after the vehicle was taken from the possession of the owner.
Wisconsin JI-Criminal 1466
Why hire our Milwaukee criminal defense lawyer to represent you?
Let’s talk about possible penalties… Our Wisconsin auto theft defense lawyers in Milwaukee provide a strong defense to minimize the consequences. Here are the potential consequences if convicted of the following motor vehicle theft offenses:
Auto theft by taking and driving a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner
In Wisconsin, this type of motor vehicle theft is a Class H felony. For example, it carries possible penalties of up to 6 years imprisonment. Specifically, the maximum sentence is 3 years of initial confinement in prison, 3 years of extended supervision, and a fine of up to $10,000.
Car theft by driving or operates a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner
In Wisconsin, this type of auto theft is a Class I felony. For example, it allows for possible penalties of up to 3 1/2 years imprisonment. Specifically, it carries a maximum of 1 1/2 years of initial confinement in prison, 2 years of extended supervision, and a fine of up to $10,000.
Car-jacking
If you possess a weapon during the offense and take a vehicle by the use or threat of use of force or the weapon, then the offense may be charged as a Class C Felony, for example.
Abandoning a stolen vehicle
However, if the prosecutor proves that the defendant abandoned the vehicle without damage within 24 hours after the vehicle was taken from the possession of the owner, the offense becomes a Class A Misdemeanor.
Passenger in a stolen vehicle
A passenger in a vehicle who intentionally accompanies someone who takes, drives or operates any motor vehicle without the consent of the owner can be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor.
Finally, contact us for more information about a Wisconsin auto theft criminal defense attorney or Milwaukee DUI lawyer. Similarly, we can discuss any of our legal services available at our Wisconsin law offices. Additionally, visit our informative Wisconsin criminal law resources page.