What charge applies to someone who takes a motor vehicle without intent to permanently deprive the owner?

The correct charge for someone who takes a motor vehicle without the intent to permanently deprive the owner is a gross misdemeanor. In legal terms, this situation is typically classified under "joyriding" where an individual unlawfully takes a vehicle temporarily without the owner's permission, but with no intention to steal it permanently.

Gross misdemeanors serve as a middle ground between minor offenses and felonies, resulting in significant consequences that may include fines, probation, or incarceration. This distinction reinforces the idea that while taking a vehicle is a serious offense, the lack of intent to permanently deprive the owner suggests a lower level of culpability compared to more serious theft charges, which are classified as felonies.

In contrast, the other classifications such as Category C or Category B felonies indicate a more severe level of criminal activity associated with theft that involves intent to permanently deprive the owner, causing greater legal repercussions. Understanding this classification helps clarify the legal framework surrounding vehicle theft offenses and the varying degrees of seriousness based on intent.