18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 77

in effect

18 Pa.C.S. § 7701 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Chop shop." A building, lot or other premises where one or more persons engage in altering, destroying, disassembling, dismantling, reassembling, storing or possessing a vehicle or vehicle part known to be illegally obtained by theft, fraud or conspiracy to defraud in order to either: (1) alter, counterfeit, deface, destroy, disguise, falsify, forge, obliterate or remove the identification, including, but not limited to, the vehicle identification number of the vehicle or vehicle part, in order to misrepresent the identity of the vehicle or vehicle part or to prevent the identification of the vehicle or vehicle part; or (2) sell or dispose of the vehicle or vehicle part. "Person." A natural person, firm, copartnership, association or cooperation. "Semitrailer." A trailer so constructed that some part of its weight rests upon or is carried by the towing vehicle. "Trailer." A vehicle designed to be towed by a motor vehicle. "Vehicle." Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices used exclusively upon rails or tracks. The term does not include a self-propelled wheelchair or an electrical mobility device operated by and designed for the exclusive use of a person with a mobility-related disability. "Vehicle identification number." A combination of numerals or letters, or both, which a manufacturer of a vehicle assigns to a vehicle for identification purposes or, in the absence of a manufacturer assigned number, which the Department of Transportation assigns to a vehicle for identification purposes.

18 Pa.C.S. § 7702 Owning, operating or conducting a chop shop.

Any person who knowingly: (1) owns, operates or conducts a chop shop; or (2) transports, sells, transfers, purchases or receives any vehicle or vehicle part that was illegally obtained either to or from a chop shop commits a felony of the second degree and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than ten years or a fine of not more than $100,000, or both. Cross References. Section 7702 is referred to in sections 7705, 7706 of this title.

18 Pa.C.S. § 7703 Alteration or destruction of vehicle identification number.

Any person who alters, counterfeits, defaces, destroys, disguises, falsifies, forges, obliterates or removes a vehicle identification number with the intent to conceal or misrepresent the identity or prevent the identification of a vehicle or vehicle part commits a felony of the third degree and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than seven years or a fine of not more than $50,000, or both.

18 Pa.C.S. § 7704 Disposition of vehicle or vehicle part with altered vehicle identification number.

Any person who purchases, receives, disposes, sells, transfers or possesses a vehicle or vehicle part with knowledge that the vehicle identification number of the vehicle or vehicle part has been altered, counterfeited, defaced, destroyed, disguised, falsified, forged, obliterated or removed and with the intent to conceal or misrepresent the identity or prevent the identification of a vehicle or vehicle part commits a felony of the third degree and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than seven years or a fine of not more than $50,000, or both.

18 Pa.C.S. § 7705 Exceptions.

(a) Scrap processor.--The provisions of section 7702 (relating to owning, operating or conducting a chop shop) shall not apply to a scrap processor who, in the normal legal course of business and in good faith, processes a vehicle or vehicle part by crushing, compacting or other similar methods, provided that any vehicle identification number is not removed from the vehicle or vehicle part prior to or during any such processing. (b) Repair of vehicle.--The provisions of section 7702 shall not be construed to prohibit the removal of a vehicle identification number plate from a vehicle part that is damaged when: (1) The removal is necessary for proper repair or matching identification of a replacement vehicle part. (2) The proper matching vehicle identification number plate is immediately and properly secured to the repaired or replacement part.

18 Pa.C.S. § 7706 Presumptions.

(a) Vehicles.--Any person or persons who transport, sell, transfer, purchase, possess or receive any vehicle or vehicle part upon which the vehicle identification number has been altered, counterfeited, defaced, destroyed, disguised, falsified, forged, obliterated or removed or who fails to keep, possess or produce the records required to be kept, possessed or produced for the vehicle or vehicle part under 75 Pa.C.S. § 6308 (relating to investigation by police officers) shall be prima facie evidence under section 7702 (relating to owning, operating or conducting a chop shop) of that person's or persons' knowledge that the vehicle or vehicle part was illegally obtained. (b) Police report.--A police report which indicates that a vehicle or vehicle part was reported to police to be in a stolen status at the time it was possessed shall be prima facie evidence that the vehicle or vehicle part was possessed without permission of the owner.

18 Pa.C.S. § 7707 Loss of property rights to Commonwealth.

(a) Forfeitures generally.--The following shall be subject to forfeiture to the Commonwealth, and no property right shall exist in them: (1) Any tool, implement or instrumentality, including, but not limited to, a vehicle or vehicle part used or possessed in connection with any violation of this chapter. (2) All materials, products and equipment of any kind which are used or intended for use in violation of this chapter. (3) All books, records, microfilm, tapes and data which are used or intended for use in violation of this chapter. (4) All money, negotiable instruments, securities or other things of value used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of this chapter and all proceeds traceable to any transactions in violation of this chapter. (5) All real property used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of this chapter, including structures or other improvements thereon and including any right, title and interest in the whole or any lot or tract of land and any appurtenances or improvements which are used or intended to be used in any manner or part to commit or to facilitate the commission of a violation of this chapter. (a.1) Conduct of forfeiture.--Forfeiture of property shall be authorized for a violation of this chapter and conducted in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5803 (relating to asset forfeiture), 5805 (relating to forfeiture procedure), 5806 (relating to motion for return of property), 5807 (relating to restrictions on use), 5807.1 (relating to prohibition on adoptive seizures) and 5808 (relating to exceptions). (b) Exceptions.--(Deleted by amendment). (c) Process and seizure.--(Deleted by amendment). (d) Seizure without process.--(Deleted by amendment). (e) Custody of property.--(Deleted by amendment). (f) Use of property held in custody.--(Deleted by amendment). (g) Use of cash, property or proceeds of property.--(Deleted by amendment). (h) Distribution of property among law enforcement authorities.--(Deleted by amendment). (i) Annual audit of forfeited property.--(Deleted by amendment). (j) Annual report; confidential information regarding property.--(Deleted by amendment). (k) Proceeds and appropriations.--(Deleted by amendment). (June 29, 2017, P.L.247, No.13, eff. July 1, 2017) Cross References. Section 7707 is referred to in section 5803 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

18 Pa.C.S. § 7708 Procedure with respect to seized property subject to liens and rights of lienholders (Repealed).

2017 Repeal. Section 7708 was repealed June 29, 2017, P.L.247, No.13, effective July 1, 2017.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=18Fetched: 10/16/2026