New Hampshire Revised Statutes
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 637:9 (2026)
Unauthorized Use of Propelled Vehicle or Rented Property
✓ current as of May 2026
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637:9 Unauthorized Use of Propelled Vehicle or Rented Property. –
I. A person is guilty of theft if:
(a) Having custody of a propelled vehicle pursuant to an agreement between himself or another and the owner thereof whereby the actor or another is to perform for compensation a specific service for the owner involving the maintenance, repair or use of such vehicle, he intentionally uses or operates the same, without the consent of the owner, for his own purposes in a manner constituting a gross deviation from the agreed purpose; or
(b) Having custody of a propelled vehicle pursuant to a rental or lease agreement with the owner thereof whereby such vehicle is to be returned to the owner at a specified time and place, he abandons the vehicle or willfully refuses or neglects to redeliver it to the owner in such manner as he may have agreed; or
(c) Having custody of any property pursuant to a rental or lease agreement whereby such property is to be returned in a specified manner, intentionally fails to comply with the terms of the agreement concerning return so as to render such failure a gross deviation from the agreement.
II. [Repealed.]
III. As used in this section, "propelled vehicle" means any automobile, airplane, motorcycle, motorboat or any other motor-propelled vehicle or vessel, or any boat or vessel propelled by sail, oar or paddle.
I. A person is guilty of theft if:
(a) Having custody of a propelled vehicle pursuant to an agreement between himself or another and the owner thereof whereby the actor or another is to perform for compensation a specific service for the owner involving the maintenance, repair or use of such vehicle, he intentionally uses or operates the same, without the consent of the owner, for his own purposes in a manner constituting a gross deviation from the agreed purpose; or
(b) Having custody of a propelled vehicle pursuant to a rental or lease agreement with the owner thereof whereby such vehicle is to be returned to the owner at a specified time and place, he abandons the vehicle or willfully refuses or neglects to redeliver it to the owner in such manner as he may have agreed; or
(c) Having custody of any property pursuant to a rental or lease agreement whereby such property is to be returned in a specified manner, intentionally fails to comply with the terms of the agreement concerning return so as to render such failure a gross deviation from the agreement.
II. [Repealed.]
III. As used in this section, "propelled vehicle" means any automobile, airplane, motorcycle, motorboat or any other motor-propelled vehicle or vessel, or any boat or vessel propelled by sail, oar or paddle.
Source. 1971, 518:1. 1985, 176:1. 1992, 269:22, I, eff. July 1, 1992.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4
cases, 1975–2003 · leading case: State v. Wong, 486 A.2d 262 (N.H. 1984).
State v. Wong, 486 A.2d 262 (N.H. 1984). “In consequence of his being under the influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled drug while operating a propelled vehicle, as defined in RSA 637:9, III.. ..” (Emphasis added.) To construe the meaning of RSA 630:3, we must determine the intent of the legislature in enacting…”
State v. Rollins-Ercolino, 821 A.2d 953 (N.H. 2003). “2002), which provides: Any person who, without intent, causes death or serious bodily injury as defined in RSA 625:11, VI to another while using a vessel or propelled vehicle as defined in RSA 637:9, III shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, where such person’s unlawful…”
State v. Bailey, 508 A.2d 1066 (N.H. 1986). “[negligently; or [i]n consequence of his being under the influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled drug while operating a propelled vehicle, as defined in RSA 637:9, III...” RSA 630:3 (1974) (current version at Supp.”
State v. Murgatroy, 349 A.2d 600 (N.H. 1975). “Defendant further filed a motion to suppress as evidence, the results of a breathalyzer test taken at the time of the arrest. Defendant’s first contention is that RSA 630:3 II, as it existed at the time of the accident mistakenly provided that a propelled vehicle is one defined…”
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