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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3702 (2026)

 Robbery of motor vehicle.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 3702.  Robbery of motor vehicle.

(a)  Offense defined.--A person commits a felony of the first degree if he steals or takes a motor vehicle from another person in the presence of that person or any other person in lawful possession of the motor vehicle.

(b)  Sentencing.--The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 2154 (relating to adoption of guidelines for sentencing), shall provide for a sentencing enhancement for an offense under this section.

(June 23, 1993, P.L.124, No.28, eff. imd.)

 

1993 Amendment.  Act 28 added section 3702.

Cross References.  Section 3702 is referred to in sections 5702, 6105 of this title; section 6302 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 43 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 1996–2025 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Spotz, 896 A.2d 1191 (Pa. 2006).
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Commonwealth v. Spotz, 896 A.2d 1191 (Pa. 2006). · cites it 2× “§ 9711(e)(8). [19] Kent D. Watkins, Esq. (trial counsel) represented Spotz at his Schuylkill County trial and on direct appeal to this Court of his first-degree murder conviction and death sentence.”
Commonwealth v. Natividad, 938 A.2d 310 (Pa. 2007). · cites it 2× “§ 3701, one count of robbery of a motor vehicle, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3702, kidnapping, 18 Pa.C.S.”
State v. Bell, 512 S.W.3d 167 (Tenn. 2015). · cites it 2× “1998) (quoting 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 3702(a) in reference to offense committed in June 1996).”
Commonwealth v. Natividad, 773 A.2d 167 (Pa. 2001). · cites it 2× “§ 3701, one count of robbery of a motor vehicle, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3702, kidnapping, 18 Pa.C.S.”
Commonwealth v. Cotto, 753 A.2d 217 (Pa. 2000). · cites it 2× “(E) Robbery of motor vehicle as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3702 (relating to robbery of motor vehicle).”
Commonwealth v. Rivera, 773 A.2d 131 (Pa. 2001). “§ 903, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3702(a). Possessing an instrument of a crime is a misdemeanor of the first degree.”
State of Tennessee v. Rickey Alvis Bell, Jr., 480 S.W.3d 486 (Tenn. 2015). · cites it 4× “1998) (quoting 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 3702(a) in reference to offense committed in June 1996).”
Commonwealth v. Spotz, 716 A.2d 580 (Pa. 1998). “§ 2901), robbery of a motor vehicle (18 Pa.C.S. § 3702), robbery (18 Pa.C.S. § 3701), theft by unlawful taking (18 Pa.”
Commonwealth v. Jones, 771 A.2d 796 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2001). · cites it 2× “" 18 Pa.C.S. § 3702(a). This definition has been restated by a panel of this Court: [W]e believe that the legislature intended to define the crime of robbery of a motor vehicle, or carjacking, as the taking or exercise of unlawful control over a motor vehicle, from its lawful…”
Commonwealth v. Spotz, 756 A.2d 1139 (Pa. 2000). “S. § 9711(d)(6); that appellant had a significant history of felony convictions involving the use or threat of violence to the person, id.”
Commonwealth v. Taylor, 831 A.2d 587 (Pa. 2003). “18 Pa.C.S. § 3702. 3 . 18 Pa.C.S. § 2901(a)(2).”
Commonwealth v. Kimmel, 125 A.3d 1272 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). “2); 18 Pa. C.S. § 3702; 18 Pa.C.S. § 4909. In addition, the definition of certain theft offenses comes under the heading of "Grading of theft offenses[.”
Show all 43 citing cases →
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3702(a) — 19 cases
State v. Bell, 512 S.W.3d 167 (Tenn. 2015). “1998) (quoting 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 3702(a) in reference to offense committed in June 1996).”
Commonwealth v. Rivera, 773 A.2d 131 (Pa. 2001). “§ 903, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3702(a). Possessing an instrument of a crime is a misdemeanor of the first degree.”
State of Tennessee v. Rickey Alvis Bell, Jr., 480 S.W.3d 486 (Tenn. 2015). “1998) (quoting 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 3702(a) in reference to offense committed in June 1996).”
Commonwealth v. Jones, 771 A.2d 796 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2001). “" 18 Pa.C.S. § 3702(a). This definition has been restated by a panel of this Court: [W]e believe that the legislature intended to define the crime of robbery of a motor vehicle, or carjacking, as the taking or exercise of unlawful control over a motor vehicle, from its lawful…”
Commonwealth v. Calloway, 675 A.2d 743 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1996).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3702(a)(1) — 1 case
Com. v. Stevenson, S. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
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