Georgia law doesn’t cut both ways: Court says riding lawnmower is not a vehicle if it’s stolen

Georgia court rules mower isn’t a motor vehicle

ATLANTA — Georgia’s Supreme Court says a riding lawn mower is not a vehicle if you steal it.

The court issued the ruling Monday in the case of a man convicted of auto theft for stealing a riding lawnmower from Home Depot.

Because Franklin Lloyd Harris was a repeat offender, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

His public defender argued that Harris should have been charged with theft.

Four justices agreed, ruling that even if a lawnmower has a powerful engine, and can drive on the streets, it’s still not a motor vehicle.

Three of the justices dissented, saying that Georgia law is broad enough to include mowers as motor vehicles.