Teenager Uses Electric Scooter to Hijack a Georgia Driver’s Vehicle

A group of teenagers have been arrested in connection to some serious theft offenses in Forsyth County. However, one of the teenagers has also been tied to a carjacking incident in Midtown Atlanta.

The 15 year old boy has been accused of using an electric scooter to attack a man in the road off of Ponce De Leon Avenue. After ambushing the man, the boy hijacked his rental car.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will review the law behind hijacking a motor vehicle - also more popularly known as carjacking in the state of Georgia.

Hijacking a Motor Vehicle in Georgia

The criminal offense of hijacking a motor vehicle in Georgia is defined by the law in the Georgia Code in O.C.G.A. §16-5-44 as:

A person commits the offense of hijacking a motor vehicle when such person while in possession of a fireman or weapon obtains a motor vehicle from the person or presence of another by force and violence or intimidation or attempts or conspires to do so.

To be accused of committing the crime of hijacking a motor vehicle, a weapon must be involved. Georgia law defines a weapon as “an object, device, or instrument which when used against a person is likely to or actually does result in serious bodily injury or death”. Also included under the definition of a weapon are replicas or other devices that have the appearance of a weapon as defined by the statute.

Hijacking a motor vehicle is classified as a felony in Georgia. The penalty for hijacking a motor vehicle is a prison term for no less than 10 and no more than 20 years and a fine between $10,000.00 and $100,000.00. However, if the accused already has a prior conviction for hijacking, then the consequences are much more severe. In that situation, the penalty would be life in prison and a fine between $100,000.00 and $500,000.00. The previous hijacking conviction does not have to be from a Georgia court. The conviction can be from any other state or country as long as the offense would be considered hijacking in Georgia.

Practice Note

The unidentified teenager is facing some very serious consequences if he is found guilty of the offenses that he has been accused of committing.

If you or a loved one has been arrested and are facing some serious consequences, contact a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney immediately. We can help you with your case regardless of the circumstances. Contact us now.