Sitting in a car in the rain

[mungbeanz]

If you are walking down the street and it starts raining, are you allowed to get into a parked car (if it is unlocked of course) and wait until the rain stops?

Is it illegal if you don't intend to steal anything and you leave it tidy?

[grasscarp]

aside of whether it is legal, I would not be happy to find somebody sitting in my car!

[pink-kittens]

And you'd get a short but very sharp tongue lashing from me if I found you in mine! It's water for heavens sake, not battery acid
Why would you even consider getting into a car that a) is not yours and b) you haven't been invited to enter?
I'd call the police and then you prove you weren't trying to steal it or anything in it

[WELSHYORKIE]

Today, I would probably put you in A&E lol

[Davethedog]

This is a wind up isn't it.

How would you get into said car? Or would you try all the cars until you found one "open".

If this is a defence for a crime its not going to work.

[ChuckFickens]

Weird question

ASAIK there would have to be intent for there to be a charge of theft or similar. I suspect the only thing you could be done for is a civil charge of trespass.

[mccfluff]

lmao i'm so tempted to try this out

[WELSHYORKIE]

Not in my car fluff!!!

[pink-kittens]

Sorry, Chuck ASAIK? Should that be an F and not an S?

[mccfluff]

*goes looking for welshies car*

[jackthehat]

Any criminal prosecution would have to demonstrate an 'intent' to commit a crime.
So, from that angle if you merely took shelter in the car, and got out taking nothing with you once the cloud-burst had passed you have committed no criminal act.

However, as chuckie says, there may be a civil action for trespass that you would have to answer.

[tboo]

Can I run into your house too to shelter from the rain? I promise not to steal anything.

[mungbeanz]

It's a hypothetical. Don't worry, i'm not up before the beak for any car/unexpected weather change related misdemeaners.! Would trespass laws apply here? They seem to relate to land and assuming ownership of another's property. As I would technically be on the Queen's highway and in no way assuming ownership of anything (unless there was a stray Werther's Original in the centre console) I can't see any crime. 'Scuse my ignorance.

[Garmard]

Are you serious mungbeanz?

[Ellipsis]

Suppose the driver had popped into a shop leaving her elderly Mum in the front passenger seat and kids in the back. OK for a passer-by to take shelter in the driver's seat?

I think not ...

[RAV1D]

It seems like a crime to me. For a start The person who own's that car payed road tax so he or she can use their car on the road.They pay their own bills for their own things. They did not invite anyone else into that car.They did not put a note on the car window saying free to touch or open the door of my car to any passers by. Either buy your own car or brolly or go take cover in a public shelter not a privately owned car.

[ChuckFickens]

You've just described trespass though, which is not a criminal offence.

[sara3]

so if I left my house door unlocked, I might find you on my sofa?

[exdc]

Even 'joy-riding' in a vehicle you have just stolen does not technically amount to the offence of theft as there is no intention to permanently deprive the owner of the property.

[ChuckFickens]

What, me, Sara?... yep, and I'd expect a coffee :)