INCREASE PUNISHMENT FOR CARGO THEFT.

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View NCGA Bill Details2023-2024 Session
House Bill 590 (Public) Filed Thursday, April 6, 2023
AN ACT TO AMEND THE OFFENSE OF BREAKING OR ENTERING INTO OR BREAKING OUT OF RAILROAD CARS, MOTOR VEHICLES, TRAILERS, AIRCRAFT, BOATS, OR OTHER WATERCRAFT.
Intro. by Carson Smith, Reives, Miller, Pyrtle.

Status: Ref to the Com on Judiciary 2, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action) (Apr 10 2023)
H 590

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 6 2023 - View Summary

    Identical to S 409, filed 3/29/23.

    Amends GS 4-56 (offense for breaking or entering into or breaking out of railroad cars, motor vehicles, trailers, aircraft, boats, or other watercraft) as follows. Deletes language establishing the offense as a Class I felony and a Class H felony if certain conditions are met. Instead, sets forth the following classifications:

    • An offense is a Class H felony if the goods, wares, freight, or other thing of value taken has a value exceeding $1,500, but no more than $20,000, aggregated over a 90-day period, or if all of the following conditions are met: (1) the railroad car, motor vehicle, trailer, aircraft, boat, or other watercraft of any kind is owned or operated by any law enforcement agency, the North Carolina National Guard, or any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States; (2) the person knows or reasonably should know that the railroad car, motor vehicle, trailer, aircraft, boat, or other watercraft of any kind is owned or operated by any law enforcement agency, the North Carolina National Guard, or any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States;  (3) the offense does not involve the taking of goods, wares, freight, or any other thing of value that would be punishable under any other felony classifications set forth in GS 14-56.
    • An offense is a Class G felony if the goods, wares, freight, or other thing of value taken has a value exceeding $20,000, but not greater than $50,000, aggregated over a 90-day period.
    • An offense is a Class F felony if the goods, wares, freight, or other thing of value taken has a value exceeding $50,000, but no more than $100,000, aggregated over a 90-day period.
    • An offense is a Class C felony if the goods, wares, freight, or other thing of value taken has a value exceeding $100,000 aggregated over a 90-day period.
    • Contains a catchall, classifying an offense as a Class I felony for any other conduct that falls that falls within GS 14-56 that is not covered by the other felony classifications.

    Permits aggregation of acts occurring in more than one county that would constitute an offense under GS 14-56 and involve the taking of goods, wares, freight, or any other thing of value. Sets forth rules for venue.  Makes language gender neutral. Makes technical changes.

    Amends GS 14-86.1 (pertaining to seizure and forfeiture of conveyances used in committing larceny and similar crimes) to allow for seizure of all conveyances (i.e., vehicles, boats, etc.) used by any person in the commission of GS 14-56.

    Effective December 1, 2023, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.