Joy riding is a felony in Houston

As a Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer I get parents that can not believe that this is the case.  In Texas, joy riding is called unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.  This happens a lot when a teenager takes a car without a parent's permission.  Unless, the parent comes forward for the child saying that they had persimmon to use the vehicle they will be charged with a felony.

This charge also comes up frequently when someone that is under the influence of drugs or alcohol lends someone the car that they are legally driving in exchange for drugs.  The drug induced person later reports the vehicle as stolen to the police.  Later, a person that is driving the vehicle is not aware of the report by the owner claiming that it was stolen is pulled over by police and charged with the felony of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.