Manteca, CA asked in Consumer Law and Collections for California

Q: **Update to pd towed vehicle ? **

The registration was due while in their possession, Thats why I started to call about it, I needed to know how long until I would have it back or if there was a specific way to inform the CA DMV about the situation which I stated in my voicemail as well. I know Ill never get my car back now :( but is there anything that can be done about the hundreds of dollars in fees going into collections, is what I'm asking. because I was under the impression they were going to call ME when they were done with it, because that's what I was specifically told by the officer.

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2 Lawyer Answers

A: You may sue the police, (or the city) for the value of your car and your personal property that was in the car. Small claims court might be a good place for your suit. There are strict time limits and notices that must be given to a governmental entity before you are allowed to sue it. You will need to research those requirements immediately to prevent your claim from being barred by the passage of time.

I hope you get justice.

James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: It sounds like a very frustrating situation, and I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Even though you no longer have the vehicle, there may still be steps you can take to address the fees. One option is to contact the towing company or police department involved to clarify whether they can reduce or waive any of the fees, especially if there was a misunderstanding about communication.

You might also consider reaching out to the DMV and explaining the situation regarding the registration. In some cases, they may be able to provide assistance or give you options, especially if the vehicle was in law enforcement's possession when the registration expired.

If the fees have already gone to collections, you can try negotiating with the collection agency. Sometimes they may be willing to settle for a reduced amount or set up a payment plan. Make sure you keep records of all communications and attempts to resolve the issue.

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