Impounded vehicle in Ohio

[osubuck30]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio

I was pulled over today for expired tags and issued a ticket plus my car was impounded. I am 26 and this was the first time being pulled over. The tags were expired for 4 months. I obviously just completely forgot.

I don't mind paying the ticket I just don't understand the impound. (I should note I was less then a half mile from my house and I have known people who were allowed to drive a car home after being pulled over for this). Did the cop have to impound the vehicle like he claimed?

Like I said I had never been pulled over before and I know I made a mistake. What sucks is its a Holiday weekend and I will have to wait till Tuesday so the impound lot will have the vehicle 3 days. Any responses would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Safety Steve]

[Samuel]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio

I was pulled over today for expired tags and issued a ticket plus my car was impounded.

"impounded" or "stored"?

I am 26 and this was the first time being pulled over.

So?

The tags were expired for 4 months. I obviously just completely forgot.

You could also have known about it and intentionally let it expire...

I don't mind paying the ticket I just don't understand the impound.

What does your vehicle code state regarding registration/impounds?

(I should note I was less then a half mile from my house and I have known people who were allowed to drive a car home after being pulled over for this).

So? Doesn't matter how near or far you are to your house - you could be parked on the (public) street Right In Front of your house and still get ticketed/towed... If OJ got away with murder does that mean that everyone else should also be allowed to get away with it too?

Did the cop have to impound the vehicle like he claimed?

Ask HIM, not us. We weren't there and have no idea.

Like I said I had never been pulled over before and I know I made a mistake. What sucks is its a Holiday weekend and I will have to wait till Tuesday so the impound lot will have the vehicle 3 days. Any responses would be appreciated! Thanks!

Learn from it - don't let it happen again. ::shrug::

[osubuck30]

Thanks for the responses. The thing that saddens me is I honestly completely forgot and up to this point I have never been in trouble in my life. I have been a model citizen and just feel even tho he could legally impound the car that still does not make what he did morally right. What happened to helping people out in this country? Times are tough but now because of the impound fees and storage because of the Holiday weekend I am looking at an extra $250- $300.

I have lived in this small town my whole life and this is my first run in with the cops. I am assured that many police officers would of ticketed me and let me drive it the half mile and tell me to park it until the registration is renewed.

[Piggy]

Nobody likes getting their car towed but it all depends on agency policy. There are plenty of Police Officers who are model citizens too. Unfortunately immoral attorneys like to sue Police Officers. For example, if the Officer let you drive away, let's say you crash and take someone out. An attorney is going to argue that the Police should have impounded your car, and it would have never been on the road to cause the accident. The municipal or state insurance company has a big pocket, so the Police get sued. The police lose, and then issue a new policy. It happens all the time. If you want to blame someone, blame the lawyers.

By impounding the car, that takes away the liability. It also shows the Police are treating everyone the same. That's another common accusation toward the police, discrimination. If they treat everyone the same and tow everyone that is expired, it takes away the argument.

[PapaBear]

[viperphi]

Most departments in Ohio's policy and procedure states that an officer shall tow in the event the tags have been expired over 30 days. I know mine does.

Within one month, I'm cool. Your car goes with you and if it's within the month on the sticker, you might even get away with a warning. But we are talking about 4 months. It's beyond an oversight after 4 months. You see your plates once in a while I'm assuming... You are a licensed driver with your own car so it is understood that you know the laws regarding licensing and registering of that vehicle. The onus isn't on the officer, it's on you.

And it's not obvious that you just completely forgot. We get fed a different story for every infraction we stop for. Nothing is obvious.

I have towed people's cars out of their driveways because they are driving around suspended and I know if I leave the car there, they are going to continue to drive. But I could be just a little salty because of my area's client base.

Did he have to? Maybe, maybe not. But don't put it on the officer. Take some responsibility. You are a car owner. Your car wasn't a little expired, it was 4 months.

[RoadKingTrooper]

"Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die"