Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (UUMV, or joyriding) is a common teenage crime. A teen thinks he or she can take mom or dad's car “for a quick ride” with friends without anyone noticing, but then that little adventure goes wrong.
Mom notices her car is gone and calls to report car theft to the police. Or worse:
- The teen driver is involved in a car accident and the “borrowed” vehicle and other vehicles are damaged
- The driver, along with his or her friends, are involved in an accident and someone is injured or killed
With a joyriding crime, the stakes can be high. In Texas, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is a felony crime. You need a juvenile car theft attorney who knows how to fight in juvenile (and adult) court to protect your son or daughter's future.
I'm Matthew Maddox of Maddox Law. I am passionate about protecting the rights and freedom of young people in McKinney, Texas, and the surrounding communities of Plano, Frisco and Allen. If your son or daughter has been arrested for a joyriding crime, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, auto theft, or any other vehicular crime, I can provide a strong and strategic defense. Call my office today: 972-546-2496
Fighting For Your Teen's Future and Freedom
Being charged with a juvenile car theft crime is a serious matter and it can have long-term consequences, especially if the UUMV case involved a car accident with serious injury or the juvenile was older.
My goal is to get you the best result possible in the juvenile criminal case. That could mean getting charges dropped or getting a first-time offender into a pre-trial diversion program, community service or probation. It may mean fighting to keep a case in the juvenile justice system rather than being charged in adult court.
UUMVs and Rental Cars
Another auto-related crime we see happening with young people in Collin County involves rental cars. Someone rents a car and keeps it longer than the contract. That is unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (UUMV), which is a form of auto theft. In a more difficult case, someone agrees to rent a car for a friend who doesn't have a credit card. The friend pays them cash and then never returns the car, sticking them with the bill. Now the young person is both a “victim” and an “offender.” Because of the value of the theft from a car rental business, it will be a felony crime.
Contact a Juvenile Car Theft Lawyer Immediately For Help
I fight vigorously for my young clients every step of the way. When you come to my office, I will explain your options and how we can approach the case. When you leave, you will have a clear picture and hope for your child's case. Call Maddox Law at 972-546-2496 or contact me online.