Art. 13A.252 UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A VEHICLE

If someone takes and uses a vehicle without permission, the case can be tried in one of two places. The first option is any county where the person actually used the vehicle without permission. This could include several counties if the person drove it through different areas.

The second option is the county where the owner first reported the vehicle as stolen. This gives prosecutors flexibility, since the reporting location might be different from where the unauthorized use actually happened. For example, if someone reports their car stolen in Dallas County but the vehicle turns up being driven in Harris County, prosecutors could potentially bring charges in either location.

This rule exists so that cases can be handled in a practical location, whether that's where the crime happened or where it was first reported to police. It gives prosecutors and courts some flexibility in deciding where to file charges based on where the evidence and witnesses are located.