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Auto Theft

Auto Theft Lawyer in Newport News

Defending Grand Larceny, Unauthorized Use & Carjacking Charges in Hampton Roads

Virginia doesn’t have a standalone auto theft statute. Depending on the circumstances, taking or using someone else’s vehicle without permission can be prosecuted as grand larceny of a motor vehicle, unauthorized use of a vehicle, or carjacking. All three are serious charges, and because most vehicles are valued above Virginia’s $1,000 felony threshold, most of these cases are prosecuted as felonies.

At Ehrenworth Law, PLLC, we’ve defended Newport News clients facing theft-related criminal charges since 1998. If you or someone you know is facing a vehicle theft charge, early legal representation matters.

Call us any time at (757) 663-4477. We’re available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and we offer free consultations.

Why Clients Choose Ehrenworth Law, PLLC for Vehicle Theft Defense

Our criminal defense attorney is a former prosecutor who served in both the Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. That experience on the other side of the courtroom shapes how we approach every defense. We know how the prosecution builds its case, and we know where those cases can be vulnerable.

Founded in 1998, we’ve spent decades protecting clients’ rights across Hampton Roads. We don’t apply a one-size-fits-all approach. We take the time to understand the specific facts of your situation and build a defense strategy around your goals. Our Avvo rating is superb, and our clients’ testimonials reflect the personalized attention we bring to every case. Beyond criminal defense, we also handle family law, estate planning, and civil litigation, giving clients a trusted resource across multiple areas of their lives.

Auto Theft Charges Under Virginia Law

Because Virginia prosecutes vehicle theft through its general larceny and carjacking statutes, the specific charge you face depends on what happened and what the vehicle was worth. Each carries its own penalty range.

Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle

When someone permanently takes a vehicle valued at $1,000 or more, Virginia treats it as grand larceny: a felony punishable by one to 20 years in prison, though a judge may impose up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine instead. Given what most vehicles are worth, this is the most common charge in vehicle theft cases.

Petit Larceny

If the vehicle is valued under $1,000, the charge falls to petit larceny, a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. How a vehicle is valued can be a meaningful point of dispute in the case.

Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle

Unauthorized use of a vehicle, sometimes called joyriding, applies when someone takes or uses a vehicle without consent but intends only to temporarily deprive the owner of it rather than keep it permanently. If the vehicle is worth $1,000 or more, this is a Class 6 felony punishable by one to five years in prison, or at the court’s discretion, up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. If the vehicle is worth less than $1,000, it’s a Class 1 misdemeanor. One important note: a history of borrowing someone’s vehicle with permission doesn’t imply consent for future use without asking.

Carjacking

Carjacking involves taking a vehicle through violence or the threat of violence, such as displaying a firearm, striking someone, or placing someone in fear of serious bodily harm. It carries a felony penalty of 15 years to life in prison regardless of whether the intent was permanent or temporary, making it the most serious vehicle-related charge in Virginia.

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  • “Great attorney, very professional and answered all my questions along the way.”
    “I want to give a huge thanks to Scott for helping me! He's a great attorney, very professional and answered any questions I had along the way. I would highly recommend Scott Ehrenworth!”
    - Former Client
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  • “Let him put his knowledge to work for you.”
    Scott Ehrenworth is an attorney who will definitely fight for you. His years of experience as a prosecutor provide him with many of the tools needed to successfully defend clients charged with crimes. Let him put his knowledge to work for you.
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  • “Scott Ehrenworth will go above and beyond for you!”

    HIGHLY RECOMMEND SCOTT EHRENWORTH!!!! Scott Ehrenworth got my DUI 2nd offense, reduced to a DUI 1st offense, and my Reckless 108 in a 65, and Defective Exhaust completely dropped! That is pretty much unheard of nowadays, but he made it happen and saved my career! Please, let Scott Ehrenworth handle your case he will go above and beyond for you! Thanks again Scott for everything!
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  • “I strongly recommend his services without reservation.”

    Mr. Ehrenworth provided outstanding legal representation from the beginning consultation to a better than expected result in court. Upon hiring him for a reckless driving ticket (83/55), Mr. Ehrenworth reviewed my driving history, explained probable outcomes, and mapped out a plan of preparation for court. Upon consultation with the State Trooper before court, he was able to negotiate a dismissal of all charges and court costs based on a technicality. Mr. Ehrenworth clearly knows the law, the mechanics of the legal system, and how to represent his clients' best interests in a professional manner. I strongly recommend his services without reservation. Thank you, again, Mr. Ehrenworth.
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  • “Tenacious and dedicated toward achieving my desired result.”
    I hired Scott after I saw him handle a case that was heard before mine. What a fantastic decision. Tenacious and dedicated toward achieving my desired result. Other defendants in the courtroom referred to him as a PIT BULL and great attorney. They were correct!
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  • “I couldn't have asked for a better outcome!”
    After posting bond, I contacted Attorney Ehrenworth per recommendation to help me fight my case. After reviewing my case and all the facts, he claimed he could get my charges dismissed at preliminary. I must admit that I was a bit skeptical at first, but after a few long months filled with stress and anticipation, on the date of preliminary, he managed to do just that. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome, and wouldn't recommend any other attorney based on my results!
    - Wes

How We Approach Vehicle Theft Defense in Newport News

Every case turns on its own facts. We begin by examining the evidence against you, the circumstances of the alleged offense, and the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. From there, we build a strategy tailored to what your case actually requires.

Common defense approaches in vehicle theft cases include:

  • Intent disputes: Challenging whether the accused intended to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle, which can shift a grand larceny charge toward unauthorized use or support dismissal
  • Vehicle valuation: Disputing the stated value of the vehicle, which determines whether the charge is a felony or a misdemeanor
  • Witness identification: Challenging the reliability of eyewitness or victim identification
  • Unlawful search or seizure: Moving to suppress evidence obtained in violation of your Fourth Amendment rights
  • Negotiated resolutions: Pursuing plea agreements or alternative sentencing, particularly for clients without prior criminal records

Having prosecuted cases from the other side, we understand how the Commonwealth builds its arguments. That perspective directly informs how we defend yours.

Get a Free Consultation from Ehrenworth Law, PLLC

The sooner you have legal counsel, the more options you may have. We offer free consultations and are available around the clock to take your call.

Contact Ehrenworth Law, PLLC today at (757) 663-4477 to discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

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