Is It Illegal To Change a VIN?
There are actually two California laws that criminalize changing a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is used to register motor vehicles or a part of a car, such as an engine. Typically, you can find your VIN on the driver’s side dashboard. This number will match documents kept with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Through a VIN, you can trace a car’s history. Altering the VIN can be viewed as attempting to obscure how the vehicle was obtained, and (in some situations) considered criminal.
Intentionally Altering a VIN
The offense of intentionally altering a VIN is the less serious of the two crimes involving changing a car’s VIN. A California prosecutor seeking to convict you of this crime must prove that you did either of the following:
Intentionally destroyed, altered, or defaced a VIN
Stamped a VIN or placed another form of identification on a vehicle that is not assigned by the California DMV.
Despite a VIN generally being associated with the plate above your vehicle’s steering wheel, you can be charged for altering any of the following on a car:
- Motor number
- Serial number
- A distinguishing mark, letter, number, or information
So long as any of the above are used to identify the motor vehicle for registration purposes, intentionally changing it is a crime.
Changing a VIN To Cause Misidentification
You commit a more severe crime when you alter a VIN for the purpose of misidentification. Any defacing, destruction, falsification, altering, removal, or forging of a VIN can lead to charges under this crime.
However, the reason you undertook the altering or destroying of a VIN matters. You can only face charges for this offense if you intended to misrepresent or prevent identification of the car and the purpose of your alteration was for:
- The sale of the car;
- The importation or exportation of the vehicle;
- The transfer of its title.
The sale, transfer, import, or export does not need to be completed. It is a crime merely to attempt to obscure the car’s identification information by altering its VIN.
Punishments for Changing a VIN
If you are charged with intentionally altering a VIN, you can only be convicted of a misdemeanor offense. However, if you altered the VIN for the purpose of misidentification, you can end up with a felony sentence.
Misdemeanor intentionally altering a VIN carries a maximum sentence of one year in county jail and a $1,000 fine. If you are charged under the more serious misidentification law, the prosecutor can choose to seek a misdemeanor or a felony conviction.
Under misdemeanor charges, the crime carries the same maximum punishments as intentionally altering a VIN, a year in county jail and a $1,000 fine. But a felony charge can carry a jail term of 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years. Additionally, you can face a fine of up to $25,000.
All sentences for crimes related to alteration of a VIN can be suspended. If the judge orders a suspended sentence, you will receive probation instead. This means you will spend little to no time in jail, but will be monitored by the court. You will also be required to avoid any further crimes or violations.
Have you been charged with a crime for altering a VIN in Orange, California? If so, the experienced legal defense team at the Chambers Law Firm can help. Set up an initial consultation with a skilled lawyer today by calling 714-760-4088 or emailing dchambers@clfca.com.
