Penalties for Stealing Vehicle Plate Numbers

Talking about public safety and security, UAE is known to be one of the safest countries in the world. It has wonderful laws and legal framework for crimes and breach of laws. The UAE Penal Code has specifically worked on criminal theft, ensuring the public’s trust and protection. A theft could be anything that is stolen from one’s private or public property. A number of criminal laws are made and implemented in UAE, and they range from minor to severe in its nature and implementations. Stealing vehicle plat number is another most common theft.

The plate number is significant for any automotive industry because it is registered as the car’s key identity. If we have to identify a car then we will identify with the name. Failure to register your car’s vehicle number can lead to serious consequences. If you were hit by a car, you can trace it through its plate number. Knowing the seriousness of owning a vehicle plate number, it is essential to understand the penalties for non-registration cars on the UAE roads. Let’s discuss the non-registration cars in UAE.

UAE makes the the punishments based on the severity of the criminal offense. UAE Penal Code has several legal articles to define the severity of the penalties for theft. But how this theft penalty is explained, let’s have a look:

• Basic Theft Penalty

Under the UAE Penal Code, a normal theft penalty is imprisonment for at least six months or a heavy fine. The penalty depends on the evidence, weapon used, and method of theft used during the theft incident.

• Theft with a Vehicle Plate Number

Vehicle theft could be related to transport activities, such as stealing the vehicle plate number. The punishment for such theft is at least six months to one year, ensuring how serious the crime is. Article 441 also provides imprisonment up to 7 years in case if the matter is very severe in nature.

• Theft at Night

Theft committed at night has harsh penalties, especially if the crime offender was carrying a weapon. The offender can be imprisoned for seven years. Such penalties show that the more severe a crime is committed, that is why harsher the punishment can be harsher.

• Robbery through Force or Threat

A robbery committed using a weapon means it was done through force or threat. In many cases, the robber threatens the individual to steal the goods on the individual’s property. However, the punishment for such robbery is fifteen years of imprisonment, demonstrating zero tolerance for theft and robbery.

• Attempt to Theft

A small theft attempt is penalized in UAE legal system. Depending on the type of theft to attempt, the punishment will be half the full punishment for the crime. For example, if a person attempts to steal the vehicle plate number but is caught or makes a failed attempt somehow, then they will be imprisoned for at least six months, or half of the punishment. Punishing culprits like these shows the serious implications of committing a crime in UAE.

Stealing a vehicle plate number is a serious offense. It is a criminal offense and puts other people’s lives in danger as it disrupts legal compliance and public safety. The vehicle plate number is essential for various reasons, such as; Identification of the car owner, helps in tracing the locations during investigations, avoids the misuse of cars for illegal activities. Vehicle number plates are significant in every country. Therefore, strict laws are applied to stolen vehicles.

The UAE Penal Code is very strict about theft. However, the imprisonment years can be reduced by investigating the scenario. If the prison sentence can be reduced, it could be done for felony and misdemeanor cases, both:

• Mercy in Felony Charges

The court can reduce the punishment for felony charges if it sees a margin to forgive the crime. Rather than spending a year in prison, the culprit might be imprisoned for three months.

• Misdemeanour Sentences

If the misdemeanor of theft has a minimum penalty, the court is flexible about reducing the penalty, especially when the excuse is valid and minor.

The courts are allowed to be lenient in reducing the prison sentence; however, the laws must always be considered. To reduce the prison sentence, the Federal Supreme Court in the UAE has created guidelines, ensuring that leverage on prison sentences is not misused.

• Federal Supreme Court Ruling

In one of the cases where the car was stolen and then sold to someone in the UAE, the court sentenced to two months imprisonment. However, the case was appealed in the court, and it was reduced to a fine. The Federal Supreme Court made adjustments to the amendment. It says that the judge can reduce sentences, but the punishment should stay consistent with the penalties for these crimes. If there is a felony case, which is a high-degree crime and punishment case, theft penalties cannot be reduced to fines unless it has been justified.

The crime offenders stealing number plates will greatly impact their future. It will be a life-changing move, but it will be in a negative manner. Other than imprisonment or fines, these crime offenders are affected in many other ways:

• Underscoring Criminal Record: If the individual is caught in the crime, they will have a criminal record, which may affect their career choices.
• Deportation: After serving their prison sentences in the UAE, the expatriates will be simply deported to their home country.

Social Life: With a small allegation even, the individual’s personal and professional life is ruined. They may not have too many friends to help them in their criminal case and might end up with depression.

Knowing that the UAE laws are difficult to understand, the suspect can seek legal consultation if they are accused of theft. A skilled lawyer can change your life by mitigating the factors of severe punishments for your crime. Additionally, the legal counsels represent the defendant in court if needed. However, they are responsible for protecting your rights throughout the court proceedings.

You can use several techniques to avoid stealing your vehicle number plate. These tips are practical in use:

• Installation of anti-heft screws is useful because those will not easily remove the plate unless proper tools are used.
• Choose a better parking space that is well-lit and has cameras or security guards around it.
• Look at your number plate every time you go out and come back home.
• If you find anything suspicious, inform the law enforcement department about it.

The UAE has strict punishments for every kind of crime, ensuring public safety and protecting citizen rights in all emirates. Hiring a lawyer would be a good option if you were trapped in criminal activity. Qualified legal consultants in the UAE ensure that their clients get justice through the court system.

However, litigation is the last option. Before choosing court proceedings, always check for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods. It could be mediation or negotiation. Things can be settled out of court without creating any delays, and both parties can communicate openly for an amicable settlement. For further collaborations and assistance, our legal experts in Dubai are available.