layout: default title: “642.04 UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A VEHICLE; VEHICLE TRESPASS.”—

​(a) No person shall knowingly use or operate an aircraft, motor vehicle, motorcycle, motorboat or other motor-propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent.

​(b) This section does not apply to property removed from the State or if possession is kept for more than forty-eight hours.

​(c) The following are affirmative defenses to a charge under this section:

​(1) At the time of the alleged offense, the actor, though mistaken, reasonably believed that the actor was authorized to use or operate the property.

​(2) At the time of the alleged offense, the actor reasonably believed that the owner or person empowered to give consent would authorize the actor to use or operate the property.

​(d) No person shall knowingly enter into or upon a motor vehicle, motorcycle or other motor-propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent.

​(e) Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof is guilty of unauthorized use of a vehicle, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the victim of the offense is an elderly person or disabled adult and if the victim incurs a loss as a result of the violation, a violation of subsection (a) hereof is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law.

(ORC 2913.03)

​(f) Whoever violates subsection (d) hereof is guilty of vehicle trespass, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.