Vehicle Code § 10501 – Falsely Reporting Vehicle Theft

What counts as a violation of Vehicle Code § 10501?

Vehicle Code § 10501 makes it unlawful for any person to make or file a false or fraudulent report of theft of a vehicle required to be registered with any law enforcement agency with intent to deceive.

What is the punishment for a violation of Vehicle Code § 10501?

A 1^st time offense under Vehicle Code § 10501 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and fines of up to $1,000.  

A 2^nd time offense under Vehicle Code § 10501, where a person has been previously convicted of a violation of Vehicle Code § 10501(a), is punishable by imprisonment for 16 months, or two or three years, or in a county jail for not to exceed one year.

What defenses are available for a violation of Vehicle Code § 10501?

1. There was no intent to defraud
2. Mistake of fact