Is Stealing a Car a Felony in Tennessee?

 Posted on December 04, 2025 in Criminal Defense

In Tennessee, the crime of theft is not treated lightly, especially for something as valuable as a car. Anyone accused of theft of a motor vehicle should know that, in many cases, prosecutors can pursue felony charges under state law. When felony prosecution becomes a real possibility, consider working with a Union County, TN theft defense attorney to protect your rights.

Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney has experience successfully representing clients accused of various property crimes, including theft and burglary. When you work with our firm, you can be sure that you will receive aggressive representation to safeguard your freedom.

How Is Joyriding Charged in Tennessee?

"Borrowing" another person’s car, even if only for a few hours, is still treated as a crime of theft. You can face joyriding charges if you take somebody else’s car without his or her consent. Simply returning the car later is not a valid defense against this charge (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-106).

While joyriding is treated as a serious offense in Tennessee, it is not a felony offense. As a Class A misdemeanor, it only carries up to a year of imprisonment and a possible fine of up to $2,500. That being said, if the prosecutor suspects that you had the intent to permanently deprive the owner of property, the offense could be escalated to felony motor vehicle theft.

Penalties for Motor Vehicle Theft in Tennessee

In Tennessee, stealing a motor vehicle will result in prosecution under the state’s theft statutes. This carries serious implications for the accused, since the penalties for theft increase with the value of the property. Theft is charged as a misdemeanor until the total value of the property exceeds $1,000, at which point, it becomes a Class E felony. In practice, this means that stealing a car will almost always result in felony charges, punishable by years to decades in prison.

Felony Consequences for Carjacking

While carjacking and motor vehicle theft are often used synonymously, there is a major difference between the two offenses. In Tennessee, carjacking refers to not just taking another person’s vehicle, but doing so by using a deadly weapon, force, or intimidation. As a violent crime, carjacking is charged as a felony much like robbery, which also involves the use of force or intimidation.

Carjacking is a Class B felony, carrying some of the strictest penalties under state law. If convicted, you face a minimum of eight years in prison to a possible maximum of 30 years, in addition to a possible fine of $25,000.

Contact a Anderson County, TN Criminal Defense Attorney

Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney has the skills and resources to defend against charges involving stolen vehicles. To schedule a free consultation with our Union County, TN theft defense lawyer, call our firm at 865-281-1000 today.