Carjacking Attorneys
Representing Clients Nationwide
Carjacking is the forceful stealing of an occupied motor vehicle. The offender is usually armed and the operator of the vehicle is forced to exit the car under threat of bodily injury. If there are other occupants in the car at the time of the carjacking, they may either be forced to leave as well, or they may be taken as a hostage. In the case of a hostage situation, there may be additional charges filed against the perpetrator. The Cochran Firm Criminal Defense attorneys working toward your defense are skilled in all areas of legal defense, and can help defend you against any charges.
The Crime of Carjacking
In 1992, the crime of carjacking became a federal offense due to the fact that many carjacking thefts result in some type of homicide or other crimes as well. Approximately half of all carjacking incidents result in successful theft of the vehicle. Statistics claim that the crime of carjacking occurs mostly during the month of December. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the days of the week during which half of all carjacking incidents occur.
A typical car theft is usually considered the equivalent of an expensive version of property theft, while carjacking is a dangerous and often violent crime that places victims directly in harm's way. In many cases, a weapon is used by the criminal to aid in securing the vehicle during the carjacking.
Because carjacking is considered a federal offense, a penalty of life in prison may be handed down. In cases where the death of an innocent victim occurs, the death penalty (capital punishment) may be called for.
Carjacking Prevention
There are measures you can take to protect yourself from being the victim of a carjacking. Some of these include:
- When possible, do not drive alone.
- Keep your car doors and windows locked at all times.
- Never roll your window down more than a couple of inches, unless you know the person approaching your vehicle.
- Be cautious of "bump and rob" schemes. This is when one offender bumps into the back end of your car. When you exit your vehicle to assess damage, a second person jumps into your car and drives off.
Carjacking is a dangerous and violent crime that can lead to severe penalties and the destruction of life for the person who is accused. At the law offices of The Cochran Firm Criminal Defense, we know your rights and will aggressively defend you if you have been wrongly accused of carjacking or any other theft or violent crime. Please contact The Cochran Firm Criminal Defense attorneystoday.
