Legal News

Activists aim to change towing and impound policies in CA

By Richard Binder

The ACLU, Latin American Alliance for Immigrant Rights, and other advocates for undocumented immigrants are scheduled to meet with new Police Chief George Gascon in San Francisco to discuss the trend of city residents having their cars impounded by police at routine traffic stops.  The impounding results from routine traffic stops and drivers who don't have valid licenses.

To get their cars back, people have to pay hundreds of dollars in fees and present a valid license, but California doesn't issue licenses to undocumented immigrants. So the cars get sold at auction after 30 days. 

In 2005, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled it unconstitutional to seize a car solely for that reason without demonstrating that the vehicle was a threat to public or traffic safety. Southern California attorneys are suing eight cities before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for unlawful towing and impound policies.

Activists in San Francisco say they hope to change these policies without having to go to court.

Full story here.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on August 19, 2009 (boomark / email).