MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE
Act 300 of 1949
257.254 False statement in application for certificate of title or in assignment of title; possession of stolen vehicle; penalties.
Sec. 254.
Any person who shall knowingly make any false statement of a material fact, either in his or her application for the certificate of title required by this act, or in any assignment of that title, or who, with intent to procure or pass title to a motor vehicle which he or she knows or has reason to believe has been stolen, shall receive or transfer possession of the same from or to another, or who shall have in his or her possession any vehicle which he or she knows or has reason to believe has been stolen, and who is not an officer of the law engaged at the time in the performance of his or her duty as such officer, is guilty of a felony, punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or by imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both. This provision shall not be exclusive of any other penalties prescribed by any law for the larceny of the unauthorized taking of a vehicle.
History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 98, Eff. Jan. 1, 1991
Constitutionality Notes:
The language of this section “or who shall have in his possession any motor vehicle which he knows or has reason to believe has been stolen, and who is not an officer of the law engaged at that time in the performance of his duty as such officer” must necessarily be treated as either surplusage or deemed inconsistent with the intent of MCL 257.1 et seq. and deleted from it. People v Morton, 384 Mich 38; 179 NW2d 379 (1970).
Notes of Decisions
Cited in
43
cases (
3 in the last 5 years), 1969–2025 · leading case:
Galka v. Caruso, 599 F. Supp. 2d 854 (E.D. Mich. 2009).
Galka v. Caruso, 599 F. Supp. 2d 854 (E.D. Mich. 2009).
· cites it 4× “On January 26, 2006, the petitioner pleaded guilty to giving a false statement in an application for certificate of title to a motor vehicle in violation of Michigan Compiled Laws section 257.254. On February 16, 2006, the Oakland County circuit judge who accepted the guilty…”
Genesee Prosecutor v. Genesee Circuit Judge, 194 N.W.2d 693 (Mich. 1972).
· cites it 4× “Does a trial judge have the authority to accept an offer and plea of guilty over the objection of the *676 prosecutor to an offense not charged or included in the information? The defendant, Dana McBride, was bound over to the Genesee Circuit Court after a preliminary…”
People v. Jensen, 412 N.W.2d 681 (Mich. Ct. App. 1987).
· cites it 9× “After a jury trial, defendant Richard Jensen was convicted of making a false application for an automobile title, MCL 257.254; MSA 9.1954. Defendant appeals as of right.”
People v. Harbour, 257 N.W.2d 165 (Mich. Ct. App. 1977).
· cites it 4× “Defendant was convicted, following a bench trial, of possession of a stolen motor vehicle with intent to pass false certificate of title contrary to MCLA 257.254; MSA 9.1954. It was not controverted at trial that defendant sold many stolen Corvettes from his service station lot.”
People v. Degraffenreid, 173 N.W.2d 317 (Mich. Ct. App. 1969).
· cites it 2× “MCLA § 257.254 (Stat Ann 1968 Rev § 9.1954).”
People v. Morton, 179 N.W.2d 379 (Mich. 1970).
· cites it 5× “645) and 2) possession of a motor vehicle known to be stolen — proscribed by MCLA § 257.254 (Stat Ann 1968 Rev § 9.1954).”
People v. Walsh, 183 N.W.2d 360 (Mich. Ct. App. 1970).
· cites it 4× “On July 18, 1968, defendant was sentenced to from five to ten years, with a recommendation of psychiatric treatment, for violation of MCLA §257.254 (Stat Ann 1970 Cum Supp § 9.”
People v. Boscaglia, 357 N.W.2d 648 (Mich. 1984).
· cites it 2× “The issue, of first impression, is whether the stolen cab is sufficient to make the truck a stolen motor vehicle within the meaning of MCL 257.254; MSA 9.1954. We hold that it is not.”
United States v. Brown, 69 F. Supp. 2d 925 (E.D. Mich. 1999).
· cites it 2× “535 and possession of a stolen motor vehicle in violation of Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.254 , offenses for which he received a 5-10 year sentence.”
People v. Nichols, 189 N.W.2d 865 (Mich. Ct. App. 1971).
· cites it 4× “The defendants George Nichols and Barry Lee Scott were convicted of possessing a motor vehicle knowing or having reason to believe that it had been stolen, MCLA § 257.254 (Stat Ann 1968 Rev § 9.1954).”
Genesee Prosecutor v. Genesee Circuit Judge, 215 N.W.2d 145 (Mich. 1974).
“Hoskins’ plea of guilty to the offense of manslaughter and the sentence imposed are set aside and the cause is remanded for trial on the information charging him with the offenses of manslaughter and murder.”
People v. Noble, 393 N.W.2d 619 (Mich. Ct. App. 1986).
· cites it 2× “Defendant was convicted of knowingly making false statements of material facts in his application for the certificate of title provided for in the Michigan Vehicle Code, MCL 257.254; MSA 9.1954. Defendant was also convicted as an habitual offender, second offense.”
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