if the cop that searched your car also wrote the ticket then his badge number should be somewhere on the ticket. Plus he has to be present in court when you go. Did he go in your trunk or glove box? if he did, i think you need to have a warrant, probable cause, or your consent to search those areas. I would fight this to the fullest. If you play your cards right you might be able to walk away only paying the ticket. Good luck bro

 

Oh... Cops and their Testicular Fortitude.....

My 280z with a small block got towed once. I rode with the driver of the tow truck (who was drinking) and had a casual conversation about the "mud" on the side of the truck. He told me he went "mudding". Anyway when we got back to my house to drop the car off, he removed the tie straps (and cable !!!) before lifting the bed. Well my car came sliding/crashing off the bed when it was still about 12" off the ground. Ruined my headers and front spolier. I threatend to sue and such. The towing company owner came to my house in his Porshe and paid me with a bad check. So I cashed it at a check cashing store and hoped he would get arrested for writing a bad check (which is illegal).

Hope it works out for you.

 

He searched the trunk, not sure about the glovebox. I think someone mentioned to me that if my tags were expired then that gives them probable cause to search my car. I'm not sure if this is true though. I didn't have anything illegal in the car, I just don't like people randomly rummaging through my nice new Evo.

 

I would be crying at this point and take them to court then send them to hell....

 

im sorry to hear about your situation.. when is your day in court?

 

Hahah, I am sorry, but i have to laugh when I read "I was standing there with groceries in hand" that image in my head was funny.

Well, the cop had the right to pull you over, even though he targeted your car, he had the right to do everything he did. He did have to the right to search your car after he determined that you were getting sited for expired tags.

But, the only thing you can do is go to court on the tow company for the damages they put on your car. Maybe you wont have to maybe they will agree to pay for the damages they put on your car.
Hey your lucky you dont live in cali, my friend got his car towed by the cops for expired tags and the total bill to get his car back for 2k.

 

i had my car impounded for the very same reason (expired 13 days), but i had a good experience. the cop was actually nice enough to give me a ride home.

 

i would read all the paperwork they gave to you. tomorrow when you pick up the car, READ EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU SIGN!!!!!

read everything front to back, TWICE, then sign. if it says anything about them not being liable for damages to your car i would call an attorney before you sign. if you don't see anything related to damages to your car then speak to the manager / person in charge about who is responsible and who is going to pay for your car. if they say that they are going to pay for it, get him to sign something saying so.

 

+1 ...... those b1tches always try to trick you.

 

like others have said.....i feel sick to my stomach just reading that. cops are ******!! i was pulled over yesterday also. i was driving speed limit in a 35 when a cop pulled next to me in the opposite lane and did a hand gestures probably wanted me to pull over and i did. he didnt even flash his lights on. asked for my license then gve it back and told me i can go. WTF!! probably pulled me over cause he was stereotyping.

 

yes, it is probable cause along with the fact that you sped off the way you did. when it becomes impounded, they have all the right to search through it. do yourself a favor and get an attorney, and as the guy above said, make sure you read EVERYTHING on the paper before you sign to have your car back.

valuable lesson learned: don't ride with expired temp tags

 

Sigh....this makes me sad. Good luck getting the damages payed for...I think most towing companies have some clause about "lowered vehicles" and not being responsible for the damage. You can find out who the cop was. Call about the ticket and you should be able to narrow down the signature and name with who was working the shift when you got the citation. I think at this point you can lodge a complaint as well. People always tell me to lodge a complaint if you were mistreated. THis is the only way it will stop. This comes from both cops and non-cops. Don't let them get away with the power trip. Hold them in check and make sure they know that you were treated improperly. I hope this all turns out for you. I really am starting to dislike cops. I am 1 for 3 with cops right now. 1 bad and the other 2 half way decent.

 

It's his fault for not getting his car registered before the temp. tag expired and it's his fault for driving on public roads with an unregistered car............

 

I get mistreated by cops all the time......I figured they were bullies in high school who graduated.

 

I think there is a evo police from baltimore. do a search he might help you out man. i think his sn is evopolice ... damn MD sucks. their property my ***. They should pay for the damage. towing company or the pigs.