What is the Unlawful Use of a Means of Transportation in Arizona?

ARS §13-1803 helps Grand Canyon State residents answer the question, “What is the unlawful use of a means of transportation in Arizona?” This statute states that the “unlawful use of a means of transportation,” or “joyriding,” represents a criminal act punishable by the Class 5 felony charge.

Our car accident lawyers in Phoenix can break down the specificities of this statute. Moreover, we can help anyone injured by someone joyriding take civil action against that offending party. By assessing the overlap between civil and criminal cases, we can better help survivors like you retake control of their lives.

What does ARS §13-1803 Say?

ARS §13-1803, the law that defines “unlawful use of a means of transportation,” notes that the law specifically applies to a person who:

• Intends to return removed property to its owner
• Take control of that person’s means of transportation without permission
• Relocates that vehicle 

Common examples of this behavior include a valet taking an owner’s car for a short driver without permission as well as “borrowing” a friend’s car without their knowledge. Parties that drive and ride in unlawfully obtained vehicles can face Class 5 and 6 felonies for their misconduct. 

Can Joyriders Defend Themselves Against Criminal Charges?

Joyriding charges can leave offenders to face serious fines and the threat of jail time. These parties have the opportunity to defend themselves against criminal allegations, though. Some of the most common defenses used to protect one’s self from a joyriding charge include the following:

• Operating a vehicle with the owner’s permission
• Claim of right of use over the vehicle
• Arrested without probable cause

These defenses aren’t surefire, but they can minimize the criminal consequences an offender faces if they’re charged with causing an accident.

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What Criminal Consequences Can Someone Face for Joyriding in Arizona?

The state of Arizona will enact criminal consequences for someone who is joyriding if that person is caught and convicted of criminal misconduct. If the offending party faces Class 5 felony charges, that person may face:

• Imprisonment for up to two and a half years
• Fines of no more than $150,000

The consequences a person faces may compound on themselves if the person causes a dangerous accident. Fatal accidents can see the offending driver face manslaughter or homicide charges on top of a Class 5 felony “unlawful use of a means of transportation” charge.

What Should You Do if You Get Into an Accident With a Joyrider?

If you get into an accident with someone who is later accused of unlawful use of a means of transportation in Arizona, you can recover with help from representatives within the legal system.

First and foremost, we encourage you to work with emergency responders to treat any injuries you may have as a result of your accident. If you are safe to remain on the scene, you can document your losses for later use. You can then call an attorney to discuss how you might secure financial compensation through the civil system.

Arizona’s minimum liability insurance standards should allow you to file an insurance claim with the criminal driver’s provider. However, given the driver’s proclivity for criminal behavior, they may not have the insurance needed to cover your losses. You may then discuss your right to file a personal injury claim against that driver with an attending attorney.

Police officers may initiate a criminal investigation into the liable party’s behavior at the same time you explore your rights to a civil case. Our team can help you determine the impact of one case on the other as you continue to explore your right to recover. 

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When Should You Call a Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer?

If you get into a car accident with somebody who you believe came into the unlawful possession of someone else’s means of transportation, it’s in your best interest to contact a Phoenix car accident attorney as soon as you can. Why? There are several reasons, including your right to explore the pros and cons of filing a personal injury claim against the offending party.

Personal injury attorneys can help you untangle a criminal joyriding case from the personal injury case you want to assume against the liable party. At the same time, an experienced civil lawyer can keep an ear out for developments and a criminal case, so they might use a criminal case’s findings to benefit your fight for recovery. 

You may also be called by police officers to testify against the person accused of the unlawful use of a means of transportation in Arizona. While civil lawyers can’t represent you in these cases, we can use our professional network to connect you with an attorney who can advise you on how to work within the criminal system. 

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Zanes Law Can Help You Recover From a Joyriding Accident

We’d like to believe that joyriding is a crime only seen on the silver screen. In reality, joyriders put everyone on the road around them at risk. If you get into an accident and discover that the party liable for your losses may face criminal consequences for their misconduct, what should you do?

Let our Phoenix personal injury lawyers explain unlawful use of a means of transportation in Arizona. We can determine how criminal charges and influences may impact your right to recover. If you choose to work with our team to file a civil claim against a criminal driver, you can count on our knowledgeable team to demystify your case.

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