I don’t know why you want to know whether stealing license plates is a felony but whatever the reason is, take it easy. Stealing license plates might seem like a minor offense, but its implications and legal consequences can be huge.
License plates are important for vehicle identification and registration, and their theft can lead to serious legal issues and security concerns. So, is stealing license plates a felony?
No, stealing license plates is not a felony, rather, it’s classified as a misdemeanor which can result in penalties like fines, community service, and short jail sentences. However, stealing license plates can be elevated to a felony if the theft is part of a larger criminal activity like vehicle theft, fraud, or identity theft.
Is Stealing License Plates a Felony?
In many states in the United States, stealing license plates is classified as a misdemeanor and can be elevated to a felony if the theft is part of a larger criminal activity.
Misdemeanors are considered less severe offenses and usually result in lighter penalties, such as fines or short-term imprisonment; while felonies, on the other hand, are more serious crimes that carry harsher punishments, including longer prison sentences and considerable fines.
Therefore, the classification of license plate theft as a misdemeanor or a felony depends on your state of residence and the circumstances surrounding the crime.
Each state has its own legal code that dictates the severity of various offenses, and the theft of license plates is one of them.
For example, in California, stealing license plates is generally considered a misdemeanor. However, if the theft is part of a larger scheme, such as identity theft or vehicle theft, it can lead to felony charges.
California Penal Code Section 10851 addresses vehicle theft and related crimes, and under certain conditions, stealing license plates can fall under this statute, resulting in more severe penalties.
Texas law also categorizes license plate theft as a misdemeanor. However, if the stolen plates are used in the commission of other crimes, such as fraud or evading law enforcement, the charges can be elevated to a felony.
Texas Penal Code Section 31.03 covers theft offenses, and the harshness of the charge can depend on the details of the case.
In New York, stealing license plates is a misdemeanor under the Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 402. Nevertheless, if the theft is associated with other criminal activities, such as forgery or grand larceny, it can result in felony charges.
If for example, John is part of an organized crime ring involved in vehicle theft and identity fraud, and the group steals high-end cars and sells them on the black market.
To avoid detection, they also steal license plates from similar models of legally owned vehicles and then affix them to the stolen cars, allowing the criminals to drive them without arousing suspicion from the police.
This theft by John is not an isolated incident, but rather, a part of a larger criminal operation involving monetary value and multiple felonies, such as grand theft auto and identity theft. The intent behind the theft is to facilitate these serious crimes and evade law enforcement.
Therefore, due to their involvement in organized crime and the use of stolen plates in the commission of other felonies, John and his accomplices will be charged with multiple felony counts, including the felony theft of license plates.
But if John single-handedly steals a license plate from a car parked on his street, intending to use it temporarily to avoid getting caught for expired registration on his vehicle. He does not have any intention to commit further crimes or sell the stolen plate.
His action, while illegal, is an isolated incident with no broader criminal intent or connection to more serious crimes. He will be charged with a misdemeanor because his theft does not involve monetary value or organized criminal activity.
The severity of John’s actions, when he stole the plates as part of an organization crime ring and the broader of his criminal context, was what elevated the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony, resulting in more notable legal penalties, including longer prison sentences and higher fines.
Factors Influencing Whether it’s a Misdemeanor or a felony
Here are factors that influence whether stealing license plates is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony:
1. The Value of the Stolen Property
In some jurisdictions, the classification of the theft crime depends on the value of the stolen property. License plates themselves may not be of high monetary value, but the context in which they are stolen can elevate the crime.
For example, if the license plates are part of a larger vehicle theft or used in the commission of other crimes, the value and seriousness of the offense increase, hence elevating the charges for the crime.
2. Intent and Use
The intent behind stealing the license plates plays an important role in determining the severity of the crime.
If the license plates are stolen with the intent to commit fraud, evade law enforcement, or facilitate other criminal activities, the crime can be charged as a felony.
For example, using stolen plates on a stolen vehicle or using them to avoid tolls and traffic fines can lead to more severe charges.
3. The Criminal Record
A person’s criminal history can also influence how the theft is charged. Repeat offenders or those with a history of theft and related crimes may face harsher penalties, including felony charges, compared to first-time offenders.
4. Jurisdictional Divergences
Different states and countries have varying laws regarding the theft of license plates. Some jurisdictions may automatically classify license plate theft as a misdemeanor, while others may have provisions for felony charges under specific conditions. So, you need to know how it is classified in your state of residence.
Consequences of Stealing License Plates
Here are the consequences of stealing license plates:
- You Will Be Punished: If you’re caught stealing license plates can face criminal charges, resulting in fines, imprisonment, and a criminal record. Felony charges can have long-term consequences, including difficulties in finding employment, housing, and other opportunities.
- It Jeopardises Public Safety: License plate theft can jeopardize public safety by enabling other criminal activities. Stolen plates can be used on stolen vehicles, aiding criminals in avoiding detection and apprehension. They can also be used to commit fraud, evade tolls, and perpetrate other illegal activities.
- Financial Costs: Victims of license plate theft often incur financial costs, including the replacement of the stolen plates, fines for unintentional violations, and increased insurance premiums.
Therefore, to mitigate the theft of license plates and its associated consequences, several preventive measures and legal reforms should be considered by implementing advanced security features on license plates, such as tamper-evident materials and unique identifiers, to make it more difficult for criminals to steal and use them.
The public should be lectured about the importance of securing their license plates and reporting the thefts as soon as possible to reduce the incidence of the crime. Awareness campaigns can inform individuals about the legal consequences of stealing license plates.
Legislators should consider passing stricter penalties for license plate theft, especially in cases where the crime is part of a larger criminal scheme. Harsher penalties can act as a deterrent to offenders.
What is the Penalty for Stealing a License Plate?
The penalty for stealing a license plate are misdemeanor or a felony charge.
Misdemeanor Penalties
Under misdemeanor chargers, you will face:
- Fines: Fines for misdemeanor license plate theft range from $100 to $1,000, depending on the state and the specifics of the offense.
- Imprisonment: Misdemeanor charges can result in short-term imprisonment, ranging from a few days to one year in county jail.
- Probation: Instead of or in addition to jail time, an offender might be placed on probation, during which they must comply with various court-ordered conditions.
- Community Service: Courts may mandate community service hours as part of the penalty.
- Restitution: Offenders may be required to pay restitution to the victims for the cost of replacing the stolen license plates and any related damages.
For example, in Texas, it will be a Class B misdemeanor with penalties of up to 180 days in jail and fines up to $2,000; longer imprisonment terms in state prison, and substantial fines if it is classified as a felony.
Felony Penalties
When license plate theft is charged as a felony the penalties are more severe:
- Higher Fines: Felony fines can be substantial, often ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 or more.
- Imprisonment: Felony convictions can result in lengthy prison sentences, ranging from one year to several years in state prison.
- Probation or Parole: Felony offenders might also be placed on probation or parole after serving part of their sentence.
- Restitution and Community Service: Similar to misdemeanors, felony offenders may also be required to pay restitution and complete community service.
Conclusion
Stealing license plates is a crime that can range from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on various factors such as the intent behind the theft, the value of the stolen property, and the perpetrator’s criminal history.
While license plate theft is often treated as a misdemeanor, it can escalate to a felony under certain circumstances, particularly when it is part of broader criminal activities.
The aftermath of license plate theft is enormous as it affects public safety and the legal system, as well as leading to financial costs. Therefore, to address this issue, preventive measures, public awareness, stricter penalties, and enhanced law enforcement collaboration are necessary to prevent or at least bring crime to a minimum.
