The California Supremes did something right.
State high court limits seizure of cars of prostitution and drug suspectsGood. It is outrageous that they would impound the cars of unconvicted suspects to the tune of up to $2,000. What a frickin' cash cow that was. Posted by Ken S at July 26, 2007 06:53 PM | TrackBack (0) |Justices toss out a Stockton ordinance that allowed confiscation upon arrest in such cases. L.A.'s city attorney was among the parties supporting such police powers.
By John Spano, Times Staff Writer
12:00 PM PDT, July 26, 2007The California Supreme Court ruled this morning that police may not confiscate the cars of suspected prostitutes or drug dealers unless the owners are convicted first.
Over strong dissent, the high court threw out a Stockton ordinance that allowed seizure of cars used in drug and prostitution cases upon arrest.
Don't tell anyone, but California has traditionally had a rather conservative (read: liberty-oriented) Supreme Court, all those years of Republican governors, I guess.
Posted by: KG at July 26, 2007 09:41 PMWell, there was that unfortunate interlude with Rose Bird.
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at July 27, 2007 05:20 AMOh, the DMV and towing companies have got a monstrous cash cow going on in California, especially in L.A. county, where most people depend on their cars like oxygen. I love those "let me see your papers" stops they do here on occassion, where they'll set up cops - sometimes during commuting hours, for Jeebus' sake - to stop motorists and ask to see their license and just impound cars on the spot for anyone who doesn't have it with them. Never mind the nice old lady who might have simply forgotten her purse that morning, whatever. They'll just dump your ass on the street right there and take your car. We had a huge scandal in our city a couple of years ago where they found a towing company in bed with the cops, just snatching up cars left and right in the middle of the night for the slightest of reasons and holding them hostage for huge sums of cash that you either had to pay or watch your car get sold at auction and even then get a fine for abandonment. The thing is, you hear stories like this from people in other states, too. Sometimes worse. DMVs are practically crime syndicates. It's disgusting.
Posted by: Emily at July 27, 2007 07:35 AMban the DMV!
Posted by: KG at July 27, 2007 09:05 AMKG is right: California's state courts are generally pretty sensible. They keep the nuttiness for the Ninth Circus over on the federal side.
As to California DMV, their records are also practically impossible for out-of-state agencies to obtain. Drive all you want on your permanently revoked California license here in Florida, convicted DUI manslaughter defendants, because without a certified record, we won't be able to prove it at trial. Amazingly, compared to California DMV,even New York and New Jersey aren't all that bad.
Posted by: Dave J at July 27, 2007 04:43 PMBut you California drivers will be pleased as punch to know that your DMV pic may already have been used in a "photo lineup", as that's one area they do cooperate in.
Posted by: mojo at July 30, 2007 01:10 PM