Owning or Operating a Chop Shop – Vehicle Code 10801
In California and across the United States, there is a massive underground market for just about all types of automobile parts, as many are interchangeable with other vehicles. Stolen individual parts are typically difficult to identify.
This thriving market has a dark side-it fuels the illegal theft crime of operating a chop shop, a serious offense with severe consequences. The gravity of this crime cannot be overstated, and it's crucial to understand the seriousness of the situation.
California Vehicle Code 10801 is the statute used to prosecute this type of theft. It makes it a crime to knowingly own or operate a chop shop. If convicted, you could face some harsh legal consequences.
California Vehicle Code 250 PC defines a “chop shop” as any place where a vehicle or part obtained by theft, fraud, or conspiracy is altered, disassembled, or stored to alter, disguise, counterfeit, forge, or remove the identity.
This would, of course, include the crucial vehicle identification number (VIN) of the car or car part with the intent to misrepresent the identity, prevent identification, or dispose of or sell the car or car part.
An example often found in Los Angeles is a scenario where a person operates a garage for car thieves to bring stolen vehicles. This person actually owns the garage, and after the vehicles are received, they will strip them down and sell individual parts to other people. In this example, they could be facing charges under Vehicle Code 10801, operating a chop shop.
Our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys have provided an overview below to give readers more useful information about the laws regarding owning and operating a chop shop.
Vehicle Code 10801- Operating a Chop Shop Definition
California Vehicle Code 10801 defines the crime of owning or operating a chop shop:
"If found guilty of knowingly and intentionally owning or operating a chop shop, the potential penalties are severe. They include imprisonment of two, three, or four years, a fine up to $50,000, or both, or up to one year in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. The law does not take this crime lightly, and the potential consequences are significant."
The term “knowingly” operating a chop shop simply means that you were aware that you were participating in a chop shop, the car parts were illegally obtained, and you knew the car parts were obtained to disguise their identity or illegally sell them.
The term “operating” a chop shop doesn't mean you must actually own a chop shop to be found guilty of Vehicle Code 10801. This means that if you actively participate in the illegal chop shop operation, it would be sufficient for a conviction, even in a situation where it was not planned.
Prosecution of a Vehicle Code 10801 Case
In order for the prosecutor to obtain a conviction for owning or operating a chop shop under California Vehicle Code 10801, they must be able to prove the “elements of the crime” that are listed under CALCRIM 1752 Jury instructions, that you:
- Knowingly and intentionally operated a chop shop
- Knew the vehicle or vehicle parts were obtained by theft or fraud
- Knew the vehicle or vehicle parts were obtained in order to
- Sell or dispose of the vehicle or its parts or
- Alter, disguise, or remove with intent to misrepresent or prevent identification
In many cases, actually proving you knew is difficult for a prosecutor. They frequently rely on circumstantial evidence, and a jury can still convict you if the totality of circumstances is sufficient to establish your guilt.
Vehicle Code 10801 Operating a Chop Shop Penalties
Vehicle Code 10801 operating a chop shop in California is a “wobbler” crime, which means the case can be filed as either a misdemeanor or felony crime. A prosecutor will usually base their decision on how many vehicles were involved, the level of damage, the size of the chop shop operation, and prior criminal history.
Suppose you are convicted of Vehicle Code 10801 as a misdemeanor case. In that case, the penalties include up to one year in county jail, a $1,000 fine, and summary probation, which typically involves regular check-ins with a probation officer and adherence to specific conditions set by the court.
If you are convicted of a felony case, the penalties include up to four years in a county jail, a $50,000 fine, and formal probation.
If you are sentenced to probation, there are certain terms and conditions you must follow.
These terms will include regular meetings with a probation officer, community service hours, and victim restitution. If you are found in violation of the terms of your probation, you could be facing jail time.
Related California Offenses for VC 10801
- Penal Code 487(d)(1) – Grand Theft Auto
- Penal Code 496 – Receiving Stolen Property
- Penal Code 459 – Auto Burglary
- Vehicle Code 10802 – Tampering with VIN
- Vehicle Code 10803 – Possession of Vehicle with Tampered VIN
Under California Penal Code Section 496.5, it is a crime to knowingly possess property stolen from a vehicle with the intent to sell or exchange it.
VC 10801 Operating a Chop Shop Defenses
If you are accused of Vehicle Code 10801, owning or operating a chop shop, our California criminal defense attorneys can use a variety of strategies to fight the charges. We need to examine all the details closely to decide on the best approach. Some of the common defenses include:
- Lack of knowledge of Chop Shop. If you go back to the elements of the crime above, recall that the prosecutor must prove you knew about the chop shop operation. This means if it can be proven you were not aware of the unlawful operations, you can't be guilty. Also, if you were not aware that the vehicles or their parts were stolen, you can't be guilty of Vehicle Code 10801. Perhaps we could argue you lacked the knowledge necessary to prove criminal activity.
- Lack of intent. Recall from above that the prosecutor also must prove you had the intent to alter, destroy, or steal vehicles or vehicle parts. Perhaps we could argue that you had no intent to participate in the chop shop operation. If we can create some reasonable doubt, then you might be able to avoid a conviction or persuade the prosecutor to offer lesser charges or even drop the case.
If you find yourself charged with owning or operating a chop shop in violation of California Vehicle Code 10801, know that our team of Los Angeles criminal lawyers is here to support you.
We will examine the details and provide you with the best legal options, ensuring you have the support you need during this challenging time.
Cron, Israels & Stark is a criminal defense law firm with a team of highly experienced lawyers who have a record of success in defending cases related to chop shops and vehicle theft. We are located at 11755 Wilshire Blvd, 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025. We have another office located at 401 Wilshire Blvd #1200, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Contact our firm for a free case evaluation at (424) 372-3112.