Oklahoma law does not allow a person who does not have permission to have a vehicle to do anything with such a car. Doing anything includes receiving it, concealing it, possessing it, or disposing of it. Being found in possession of a stolen vehicle and doing anything with it is a crime that is tried as a felony in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Okla. Stat. tit. 47 § 4-103
The statute requires that you know that the vehicle has been stolen or converted under circumstances that constitute a crime. You are expected to know that a car is possessed by unlawful means by checking out the facts as a reasonable person would in the same circumstances.
If you are unaware that a vehicle in your possession was stolen or converted unlawfully, but a reasonable person in your circumstances would have known, the law assumes you also did know that you had unlawful possession of a car that belongs to someone else. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1713
Elements of Possession of a Stolen Vehicle in Muskogee
The state must prove the following three elements of this crime beyond a shadow of a doubt to get a conviction for this crime.
First, a person not entitled to possession of a vehicle
Second, received or possessed or concealed or disposed of the car
Third, knowing it was stolen.
OR
Third, knowing it was converted under specific circumstances that constitute a crime.
Penalties for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle in Muskogee
The penalty on conviction of possession of a stolen vehicle is up to two years in prison.
If convicted of stealing a vehicle, the penalties are significantly much worse as compared to those of mere possession. You could spend up to 20 years in prison.
Get Help
Talk to a Muskogee attorney as soon as you are charged with possession of a stolen vehicle. Ownership of a stolen car is a severe crime that could see you do a lot of time in prison. You cannot afford to fumble with your side of the story.
Let an experienced criminal defense attorney hear you out and take your side in court. Do not let all the expertise at law and experience be on the other side as that dramatically increases your chances of getting the worst punishment if convicted for this crime.
Low-cost Consultation: Muskogee Felony Attorney
Only experienced criminal lawyers in Muskogee can work to build a strong defense for you. What may look like insignificant issues to an inexperienced attorney may, in the end, determine your case.
Details matter when piecing together the evidence for your defense. Our Muskogee attorneys will stand up for you against bogus criminal charges or negotiate a better outcome if you did indeed commit a crime.
Our attorneys know how to present in court the details that can significantly affect the result of a criminal case.
Call a Muskogee felony attorney today at 918-884-7774 to ask questions or schedule a low-cost, confidential consultation.