Vehicle Illegally Seized: Options?

[Paul.Bearer.of.Injustice]

My vehicle was seized by my municipality, the reason given was failure to pay the property tax.
I have a copy of the check the town cashed, stamped, and processed.

I don't want a "sorry" - that is not enough. I need to send a message that governments cannot seize and cause undue hardship because of computer error, and think they can simply say "sorry" and not be held accountable for the error.

As far as I'm concerned, it was grand theft auto and should be prosecuted as such.

Any ideas on lawsuits?

 

[acptulsa]

This kind of thing is enough to piss off the pope.

Honestly, I don't think you'll get anywhere unless you can get some public opinion on your side. Sad but true.

Got a news weekly in town hungry for something sensational? Is the lowest-rated tv news channel aggressive?

 

[wgadget]

My vehicle was seized by my municipality, the reason given was failure to pay the property tax.
I have a copy of the check the town cashed, stamped, and processed.

I don't want a "sorry" - that is not enough. I need to send a message that governments cannot seize and cause undue hardship because of computer error, and think they can simply say "sorry" and not be held accountable for the error.

As far as I'm concerned, it was grand theft auto and should be prosecuted as such.

Any ideas on lawsuits?

Try the sixth amendment?

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

 

[hopeforamerica]

Wow, I have no advice. Find a lawyer and keep us updated. This sucks to no end.....
Did you have a Ron Paul bumper sticker? Just curious.

 

[ConstitutionGal]

My vehicle was seized by my municipality, the reason given was failure to pay the property tax.
I have a copy of the check the town cashed, stamped, and processed.

I'm not sure I completely understand the situation. Were you driving the vehicle without the required 'tax' stamp/sticker or was it merely parked on your own land without tags?

 

[colin1]

Get the local investigative reporter from one of your ABC, NBC or CBS or Fox affiliates on it. They usually like these kinds of "Government screws local guy" kinds of stories. Good luck!

 

[Paul.Bearer.of.Injustice]

I was parked legally on my street - not in my driveway.
The next day my car was gone.
I got a notice saying it was towed for non-payment of my car tax - I assume they came looking for it, we don't have stamps or stickers for car taxes here.

I'm thinking of charging the appropriate official with criminal negligence.
I'm not looking for anyone to go to jail or to sue, but the person in authority and/or the records-keeper should be suspended without pay to send a message.

 

[wgadget]

Sounds like your due process rights were violated. Seems like you should get a notice BEFORE they tow it away. But I could be wrong.

 

[Sandra]

We had a rash of illegal seizures by a towing company in Baton Rouge. They would give out fake official looking notices of why the vehicle was towed. They were mainly after the fee to get the vehicle released, but using the false reason of unpaid taxes was used alot. Look into it! I'll bet there was nothing generated at an official level.

 

[allyinoh]

Excuse me for the ignorance but what are "car taxes?"

I know that I pay to renew my tags, but that's it. Is it another cost besides your actual tag?

 

[Paul.Bearer.of.Injustice]

Excuse me for the ignorance but what are "car taxes?"

I know that I pay to renew my tags, but that's it. Is it another cost besides your actual tag?

It's a property tax.

 

[adam1mc]

I understand it sucks.. and you probably DO have a lawsuit on your hands.....

But is it possible that it may have just been a mixup? I mean, if you've got receipts and stuff showing that you paid, couldn't it just have been an error?

If so, there's no reason to punish the taxpayers in your city/state by a lawsuit.


Go TP his house or something... Maybe cover his yard with RP signs

 

[qh4dotcom]

Consider getting a leased car next time.

Considering the way authorities, judges, the government, etc. are abusing their power in this country, it's becoming a bad idea to be the owner of anything valuable that can be seized and confiscated like cars, bank accounts, properties, etc.

 

[Paul.Bearer.of.Injustice]

I understand it sucks.. and you probably DO have a lawsuit on your hands.....

But is it possible that it may have just been a mixup? I mean, if you've got receipts and stuff showing that you paid, couldn't it just have been an error?

If so, there's no reason to punish the taxpayers in your city/state by a lawsuit.


Go TP his house or something... Maybe cover his yard with RP signs

I'm sure it was a "mixup" (like half of Guantanamo's prisoners), but that's doesn't exonerate crime anymore than me accidentally shooting you.
Taxes are supposed to fund a government which preserves our constitutional rights, so in my eyes, this lawsuit is a proper use of public funds.

 

[WV Freedom Fighter]

Did you have to pay a towing fee and storage fee to get it back?

 

[wowabunga]

Honestly, I don't think you'll get anywhere unless you can get some public opinion on your side. Sad but true.

I feel the same way about the Ron Paul Revolution...

 

[Mr. White]

I'm sure it was a "mixup" (like half of Guantanamo's prisoners), but that's doesn't exonerate crime anymore than me accidentally shooting you.
Taxes are supposed to fund a government which preserves our constitutional rights, so in my eyes, this lawsuit is a proper use of public funds.

Okay first off, going into this with the grand notion of righting the wrongs of America is going to get you nowhere. It isn't clear how much information you've actually got about the how or the why, but you may look into that before jumping into a lawsuit.

 

[sratiug]

Try the sixth amendment?

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

The Bill of Rights was repealed for the War on Drugs.