--- title: "Providence Motor Vehicle Theft Attorney" url: https://www.chadbanklaw.com/providence-motor-vehicle-theft-attorney/ date: 2014-10-31 modified: 2026-06-05 author: "The Law Office of Chad F Bank" image: https://www.chadbanklaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rhode-island-vehicle-theft-attorney-scaled.jpg type: page lang: en --- # Providence Motor Vehicle Theft Attorney ## Providence Motor Vehicle Theft Attorney In the state of Rhode Island, it is a felony to be in possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Auto theft is a serious crime with heavy consequences. If you have been charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle you risk facing up to 10 years of imprisonment and/or a ten thousand dollar fine. Stealing a car in Rhode Island is no joke. > § 31-9-2 Possession of stolen vehicle or parts. – (a) Any person who... has in his or her possession any vehicle which that person knows or has reason to believe has been stolen or unlawfully taken, and who is not an officer of the law engaged at the time in the performance of his duty as an officer of the law, is guilty of a felony. > — (http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE31/31-9/31-9-2.HTM) !(https://www.chadbanklaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Car-Robbery-400x267.jpg) Having an experienced (https://www.chadbanklaw.com/criminal-defense-attorney/) on your side can make a significant difference in the overall success of your case. If you are charged with motor vehicle theft, contact the office of Attorney Chad F. Bank. He is experienced in defending auto theft charges and has successfully represented many clients facing stolen vehicle charges. Motor vehicle theft / Grand Theft Auto may be punishable by imprisonment. Choosing the right Motor Vehicle Theft Attorney may mean the difference between 10 years in prison or 2 years probation. Auto theft can stay on your permanent record forever and affect your reputation for the rest of your life. Don’t give up your freedom or place your reputation at risk because of a motor vehicle theft charge. Remember, just becasue you did it, doesnt mean you are guilty or need to face the maximum penalty for the charge. The right defense lawyer can make a decade of difference. ## What is Motor Vehicle Theft? In the court system, **auto theft** is often referred to as “grand theft auto”. It is a particularly troublesome type of theft, which generally has harsher punishments than standard, comparable petty theft crimes. > Grand theft, on the other hand, occurs when property is stolen that is worth more than the limit for petty theft. Typically the market value for the property at the time it is stolen is used to determine that propertys value for purposes of petty or theft charges. > — (https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/theft-overview.html#sthash.iNGE1mYy.dpuf) ## Contact Us Today If you have been charged with motor vehicle theft, come in for a free consultation at The Law Offices of Chad F Bank. Chad knows your rights and the policies of the Rhode Island law enforcement system. Selecting the best Providence Motor Vehicle Theft Attorney is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Give Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Theft Attorney Chad Bank a call today at 401-573-2265 to schedule your free consultation. ## Frequently Asked Questions What is motor vehicle theft in Rhode Island?(https://www.chadbanklaw.com/author/chadbankadmin/)2026-05-24T00:04:47-04:00 #### [ **** What is motor vehicle theft in Rhode Island? ](#collapse-1-8129) Motor vehicle theft in Rhode Island is the unauthorized taking of another person's car, truck, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle. The charge is typically a felony under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-41-2 with penalties up to 10 years in state prison and fines up to $5,000. Lesser charges include unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (often called "joyriding") which can be charged as a misdemeanor when the prosecution cannot prove intent to permanently deprive. The difference between joyriding and grand theft auto is the intent to keep the vehicle versus borrow it briefly. Defense work often focuses on contesting that intent element. Is motor vehicle theft a felony in Rhode Island?(https://www.chadbanklaw.com/author/chadbankadmin/)2026-05-24T00:04:52-04:00 #### [ **** Is motor vehicle theft a felony in Rhode Island? ](#collapse-1-8130) Motor vehicle theft in Rhode Island is typically charged as a felony when the prosecution can prove intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle. The felony charge carries up to 10 years in state prison and a permanent felony record. Lesser-included offenses like unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (joyriding) are misdemeanor-level charges with up to 1 year jail. Aggravating factors like the vehicle's value, the defendant's prior record, or use of the vehicle in another crime can push penalties higher. The line between misdemeanor joyriding and felony grand theft is often the most contested element in defense work. What is the difference between motor vehicle theft and joyriding in Rhode Island?(https://www.chadbanklaw.com/author/chadbankadmin/)2026-05-24T00:04:58-04:00 #### [ **** What is the difference between motor vehicle theft and joyriding in Rhode Island? ](#collapse-1-8131) The difference between motor vehicle theft and joyriding in Rhode Island is the intent element. Motor vehicle theft (felony) requires intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle — to keep it, sell it, or strip it. Joyriding (unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor) requires only intent to use the vehicle temporarily without permission, with the understanding that it would be returned or abandoned. The prosecution often overcharges joyriding as felony motor vehicle theft to leverage plea negotiations. Defense work focused on the intent distinction can downgrade felony charges to misdemeanors, eliminating prison exposure and the permanent felony record. What are the penalties for motor vehicle theft in Rhode Island?(https://www.chadbanklaw.com/author/chadbankadmin/)2026-05-24T00:05:04-04:00 #### [ **** What are the penalties for motor vehicle theft in Rhode Island? ](#collapse-1-8132) Motor vehicle theft penalties in Rhode Island scale by charge level and circumstances. Felony motor vehicle theft carries up to 10 years in state prison, fines up to $5,000, mandatory restitution to the owner, and a permanent felony record. Joyriding misdemeanor carries up to 1 year jail and lower fines. Aggravating factors (vehicle value over $25,000, organized theft ring, vehicle used to commit another crime, repeat offender status) push sentencing higher. Federal charges can apply if the vehicle crossed state lines (Dyer Act violation). All convictions trigger insurance complications and significant employment background check impact. Can a motor vehicle theft charge be reduced in Rhode Island?(https://www.chadbanklaw.com/author/chadbankadmin/)2026-05-24T00:05:10-04:00 #### [ **** Can a motor vehicle theft charge be reduced in Rhode Island? ](#collapse-1-8133) Yes. Rhode Island motor vehicle theft charges are reduced regularly when the defense can challenge the intent element. Common reductions include felony motor vehicle theft to misdemeanor joyriding (eliminating prison exposure), felony to lesser property crime like unauthorized use, or felony to diversion program with eventual dismissal. The most valuable reduction is felony to misdemeanor because it eliminates the permanent felony record, the firearm ban, and the worst employment consequences. Defense work focused on the intent distinction (was the defendant going to return the vehicle), the lawfulness of the stop, and witness identification often produces these reductions. Call Chad F Bank at 401-573-2265. Will a motor vehicle theft conviction affect my driver's license in Rhode Island?(https://www.chadbanklaw.com/author/chadbankadmin/)2026-05-24T00:05:16-04:00 #### [ **** Will a motor vehicle theft conviction affect my driver's license in Rhode Island? ](#collapse-1-8134) Yes. A Rhode Island motor vehicle theft conviction can trigger driver's license suspension on top of the criminal penalties. The DMV reviews motor vehicle-related convictions and can impose administrative suspension separate from any court-ordered suspension. Insurance impact is also severe: most carriers significantly raise premiums or refuse coverage after a motor vehicle theft conviction. Some require SR-22 high-risk filing for years afterward. For commercial drivers, motor vehicle theft is career-ending in many trucking, delivery, and transportation positions because the conviction signals trust violation around vehicles. The combined license and insurance impact often exceeds the actual criminal penalty. Can motor vehicle theft charges be defended in Rhode Island?(https://www.chadbanklaw.com/author/chadbankadmin/)2026-05-24T00:05:22-04:00 #### [ **** Can motor vehicle theft charges be defended in Rhode Island? ](#collapse-1-8135) Yes. Rhode Island motor vehicle theft charges can be defended through several angles. The intent element is the most-contested — the prosecution must prove you intended to permanently deprive the owner, not that you borrowed without permission with intent to return. Other defenses include mistaken identity (especially in surveillance-based cases), authorization disputes (you believed you had permission, the alleged owner is actually a co-owner), suppression motions if evidence was obtained unlawfully, and procedural defects in the investigation. Cases involving recovered vehicles within a short time of taking are particularly defensible against felony charges because the short timeframe undercuts the "permanent deprivation" intent element. Do I need a lawyer for a motor vehicle theft charge in Rhode Island?(https://www.chadbanklaw.com/author/chadbankadmin/)2026-05-24T00:05:28-04:00 #### [ **** Do I need a lawyer for a motor vehicle theft charge in Rhode Island? ](#collapse-1-8136) Yes. Motor vehicle theft in Rhode Island is typically charged as a felony with up to 10 years prison, lifetime felony record, firearm prohibition, license suspension, severe insurance impact, and significant employment consequences. The most important defense work focuses on reducing felony charges to misdemeanor joyriding, which eliminates the prison exposure and the lifetime felony record. A motor vehicle theft defense lawyer reviews evidence for intent challenges, contests witness identification, files suppression motions, negotiates with prosecutors familiar with the case patterns, and tries the case when necessary. Public defenders carry too many cases to give these specialized defenses the focus they require. Call Attorney Chad F Bank at 401-573-2265. ## Motor Vehicle Theft Defense Office Location ### Providence Motor Vehicle Theft Attorney The Law Office of Chad F Bank $ https://www.chadbanklaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-the-law-office-of-chad-f-bank-logo-square.jpg 127 Dorrance St Providence , RI 02903 Phone: 401-573-2265