Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Washington

can I file harassment for being held against my will?

I recently had my car towed because I left it at a gas station for a few hours since I had a flat tire. When I went to pick up the car from the towing company I realized I couldn't just put air in the tire and it needed the spare to be driven. The owner of the company told me I needed to drive on the rim anyways so that he can go home. I insisted I paid for a full day and that I just needed 10 minutes to put on the spare. He persisted in telling me to drive out. I refused, not wanting to damage my car. He then shut and locked the bay door to his garage and told me I was stuck there and that he was going to charge me another night of storage. I begged and pleaded worrying that he was going to harm me. After a few minutes he unlocked the door and released me. I then drove my car out as he yelled obsenities directed at myself. I parked in the front of the building where it was well lit to put on the spare. He then continued to yell at me telling me to get off ''his'' property. I was forced to again drive my car out of the area. Is this harassment and what can I do to get him in trouble for this?


Asked on 10/29/07, 2:42 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Merry Kogut Key Peninsula Law

Re: can I file harassment for being held against my will?

You can contact the prosecutor's office of your county and ask about filing a charge of false imprisonment. You can also sue for this in a civil matter. Another thing you can do is file a complaint with the consumer protection division of the attorney general's office.

No, it's not harassment to yell obscenities against you. Have you heard of the freedom of speech?

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Answered on 10/29/07, 8:01 pm


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