8-116. Vehicle identification number offenses; possession or sale of vehicle without original VIN; removing or altering VIN; penalties; vehicle seizure and disposition. (a) It is unlawful to sell, barter or exchange any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, the original vehicle identification number of which has been destroyed, removed, altered or defaced, except as contemplated by K.S.A. 8-116a, and amendments thereto, when no part of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer has been stolen and a vehicle identification number has been assigned to the motor vehicle according to law.  Violation of this subsection (a) is a severity level 10, nonperson felony.

(b) It is unlawful to knowingly own or have the custody or possession of a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, the original vehicle identification number of which has been destroyed, removed, altered or defaced, except as contemplated by K.S.A. 8-116a, and amendments thereto, when no part of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer has been stolen and a vehicle identification number has been assigned to the motor vehicle according to law. Violation of this subsection (b) is a class C misdemeanor.

(c) Any person who shall destroy, remove, alter or deface any vehicle identification number, except as contemplated by K.S.A. 8-116a, and amendments thereto, when no part of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer has been stolen, is guilty of a severity level 10, nonperson felony.

(d) Every law enforcement officer in this state having knowledge of a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer the vehicle identification number of which has been destroyed, removed, altered or defaced shall seize and take possession of such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, arrest the owner or custodian thereof and cause prosecution to be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction.  The provisions of K.S.A. 22-2512, and amendments thereto, shall apply to any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer seized under this section.

History: L. 1921, ch. 69, § 14; R.S. 1923, § 8-116; L. 1935, ch. 70, § 1; L. 1959, ch. 46, § 2; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 3; L. 1984, ch. 25, § 12; L. 1989, ch. 35, § 1; L. 1993, ch. 291, § 1; July 1.