The Crime of Entering Auto in Georgia After Multiple Car Break-Ins Reported in Cherokee

Canton Police recently stated that over 25 entering auto reports have bene documented between the neighborhoods of Summer Walk and Park Village in Cherokee County this past month. 

Surveillance videos from some of the victims' houses shows people walking through the communities in the early hours of the morning pulling on door handles and entering the cars which were left unlocked. No damage was reported as being done to the vehicles. Money, guns, and other items were taken from the cars that were left unlocked.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will focus today's post on the criminal offense of entering auto in Georgia. 

Entering Auto in Georgia

The Georgia Code defines entering auto as:

If any person shall enter any automobile or other motor vehicle with the intent to commit a theft or a felony, he shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for no less than one nor more than five years, or in the discretion of the trial judge, as for a misdemeanor. O.C.G.A. §16-8-18.

So to put it simply, entering auto is the breaking and entering into a vehicle coupled with the intent to commit theft or another felony crime. Entering auto is very similar to burglary in Georgia. 

The state of Georgia takes crimes such as entering auto very seriously. This is in the hopes of discouraging people in our state from engaging in this type of behavior. Car and home break-ins pose a significant risk to public safety. 

Practice Note

As I just mentioned, Georgia treats this crime very seriously. Entering auto is classified as a felony in Georgia, so the penalties can be very harsh. The punishment if convicted can include up to five years in prison along with fines. 

There are various Georgia Criminal Defenses that can apply to a wrongful accusation. A Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney can help decipher which might apply to your case and how best to go about handling it.
If you or a loved one has been charged with any one of the many property crimes in Georgia, contact our offices today.