Legal Question in Traffic Law in California

Impounded RV-DMV Work in Process

My friend�s ex, who she remains good friends with, bought her an RV last year. Before they could get ownership transferred out of the original owner�s name, he lost the pink slip. Before the tags expired, my friend went to the DMV & paid the registration renewal costs. However, she didn�t have the pink slip or the money to pay the transfer fees so she was unable to register or transfer the vehicle. However, the registration fees were paid. The DMV computer shows a release of liability in her name & the registration is in process.

--

Barely 6 months after the registration expired, LAPD knocked on her door. They looked inside & noticed a homemade funnel she used to pour sugar into a pitcher to make kool-aid & decided she was cooking dope in the RV. They searched, but found nothing; they said she wasn�t cooperating because she wouldn�t tell them where the dope was (because there wasn�t any). They then impounded her RV - which was parked on private property - for expired tags & put a 30 hold on it. They would not let her remove her personal belongings before they towed it to a yard 21 miles away. Was it legal for them to tow while registration was in process & on private property? If not, what can she do?

2 Answers from Attorneys

Related Questions & Answers

More Traffic Law questions and answers in California

Looking for something else?