Auto Theft Attorney in Houston

Auto Theft Defense Backed by 60+ Years' Experience

Auto theft and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle charges carry felony consequences that can reshape your future. At Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C., we bring the same intensity to state vehicle-theft cases that we bring to federal and military matters, because the stakes demand it.

Our firm is led by Guy and Geoff Womack, a father-and-son team with over 60 years of combined legal experience handling serious criminal, federal, and military cases. We’ve defended thousands of serious charges and taken hundreds of cases to jury trial.

We don’t manage cases from a distance. We provide straightforward legal advice, respond promptly, and keep you informed at every stage so you know where your case stands and what we’re doing about it.

Auto Theft vs. Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle in Texas

Texas law draws a meaningful line between two separate offenses. Under Texas Penal Code Section 31.03, auto theft is charged as theft of property when the property is a motor vehicle. The statute requires proof that the accused unlawfully appropriated the vehicle with intent to deprive the owner of it, an element the prosecution must establish.

Texas Penal Code Section 31.07 defines Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle differently. A person commits UUMV by intentionally or knowingly operating another person’s motor-propelled vehicle, boat, or airplane without the effective consent of the owner. Prosecutors don’t need to prove any intent to permanently take the vehicle. What’s often called “joyriding” in casual conversation generally falls under this statute, though joyriding isn’t a defined offense in Texas.

Penalty Ranges: What Texas Felony Levels Mean for Your Case

The felony level you face depends on which statute applies and, for auto theft, what the vehicle was worth. The two offenses carry different penalty structures, and understanding that difference matters from the first day of your defense.

Auto Theft Under Section 31.03

For auto theft charged under Section 31.03, the felony level scales with the vehicle’s value. A vehicle valued between $2,500 and $30,000 produces a state jail felony. From $30,000 to just under $150,000, the charge rises to a third-degree felony. (Between $150,000 and $300,000, it becomes a second-degree felony, and $300,000 or more is a first-degree felony.)

UUMV Under Section 31.07

UUMV under Section 31.07 carries a flat classification regardless of the vehicle’s value: a state jail felony punishable by 180 days to two years in a state jail facility, and a fine of up to $10,000. Because prosecutors don’t need to establish vehicle value to secure a conviction, this charge can move quickly. That speed makes early legal involvement important.

How Auto Theft Cases Are Investigated in Harris County

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office operates a dedicated Auto Theft Unit focused on investigation, arrest and prosecution, vehicle recovery, and public awareness efforts around vehicle theft and motor vehicle burglary. The Houston Police Department maintains its own investigative unit, working recovery leads on vehicles reported stolen within city limits. By the time a charge is filed, these agencies have typically built a file you haven’t seen. We work to obtain that file and examine how the investigation unfolded from the start.

Talk to a Houston Auto Theft Lawyer Before Your Next Court Date

Whether you’re facing a UUMV allegation or a more serious auto theft charge, early action gives us more to work with. Call Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C. at (713) 364-9913 to get started.