Laws on Impounding
Have a vehicle impounded can be extremely upsetting and embarrassing for any car owner. Vehicles can be impounded for many reasons, including unpaid speeding or parking tickets and as evidence if the vehicle was used in a crime. If your car is impounded, it is important to know why it was impounded, who is in possession of it and what the laws are regarding impounding so that you can get your vehicle back.
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Vehicle Abadnonment
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Most states have similar laws regarding impound rules and restrictions. Washington state law RCW 46.55.080 specifies that a vehicle can be impounded by a licensed tow-truck driver at the request of a law enforcement officer if the vehicle is abandoned on public property or if police have permission from the owner of the private property where the vehicle resides. The owner of private property can request a private impound to remove the vehicle from his property, but must sign paperwork showing that he requested and authorized the vehicle removal. The time frame required for a vehicle to be deemed abandoned varies. A car left on the freeway can be impounded immediately, while a car in a public parking garage can be impounded after 24 hours.
Driving Violation Impounds
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Arizona allows a car to be impounded if a driver does not have a current driving privilege in the state, the vehicle is uninsured and if the person driving the vehicle is involved in an accident that results in property damage or the injury or death of another person. If all of these criteria are met, Arizona allows the offending vehicle to be impounded for 30 days. The driver can possibly get the car out early if he pays the required fees and takes corrective actions, such as getting his driver's license reinstated and getting the car insured.
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Crime-Related Impounds
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Most states, such as Arizona and California, also impound cars that have been used in the committing of a crime. If an under-age driver is pulled over and has alcohol in her system, multiple crimes have been committed and the car will be impounded for 30 days. If the vehicle is used in committing a separate crime, such as a drive-by shooting or a robbery, the 30-day limit does not apply and the car can be impounded indefinitely and possibly forfeited to the state.
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References
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