Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

I was cited for driving with a suspended license, my car tags were expired and the was car towed. The police department has stated they would release the car to me IF I had my traffic tickets paid and my license were changed to restricted. We went before the judge yesterday and he refused to do so until all my community hours are fullfilled, we are both unemployed and cannot afford the fines. I have 318 hours of which I have completed about 45. How can my husband p/u the car from impound since I am the registered owner, not him. The car does have insurance, my husband has taken care of his license issues yesterday and now has a valid driver's license. We need our car released ASAP to stop the storage fees from continuing to accrue.


Asked on 8/10/11, 4:02 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

A vehicle can be released from impound only to a registered owner, with proof of current registration and your ID, with proof insurance on the car, with proof of 'clearance' of any parking tickets or other holds on the car, with proof of valid drivers license to drive it away - or bring a licensed driver with you to drive it, and with the money to pay the total impound fees due - generally cash only, no checks accepted. They don't accept excuses or tolerate arguments. They'll release it when all those conditions are satisfied. Good luck.

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Answered on 8/10/11, 5:45 pm
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Minor addition:

A vehicle can be released from impound only to a registered owner, with proof of current registration and your ID, with proof insurance on the car or [possibly] pay to have it towed away - check with the impound to see if they will allow that, with proof of 'clearance' of any parking tickets or other holds on the car, with proof of valid drivers license to drive it away - or bring a licensed driver with you to drive it, and with the money to pay the total impound fees due - generally cash only, no checks accepted. They don't accept excuses or tolerate arguments. They'll release it when all those conditions are satisfied. Good luck.

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Answered on 8/10/11, 5:49 pm


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