more articles like this

Tell them you found them on Edhat!
www.edhat.com/referrals

Pro Bono Lawyer
updated: Sep 08, 2012, 11:19 AM

My car was towed from a private road less than 1/2 block from where I live around 10:30 a.m. on Friday. A CHP officer had it towed. The officer made a number of incorrect comments as the reason for having it towed. My landlord came by and tried to help, saying that we could move the car into the driveway at my residence. The officer said no, that won't make any difference. I told him I could provide documentation that disproved his outdated information. He said ok. I went back into my house to look for the documentation. At the same time, I was on the phone with AAA as they were researching and getting me the updated info on the registration status of my vehicle. By the time I got back to the street, my car was gone. I spent the remainder of the day walking, taking the bus and getting rides from friends to get the updated, correct information for the CHP office as I was told to do. I was finally at the CHP office on Calle Real at 3:30 p.m. I provided them with the update correct paperwork. They still wouldn't release my car to me, but instead set up a hearing for me on Monday. I can't afford to pay for the towing and storage, and I need to have my car so that I can make some money. Please help, Edhat community...I need a pro bono attorney to help with this seemingly small matter.

I sure wish that instead of taking away my car, the only thing I own of real value, the CHP officer had been out there solving crimes that are going on at an alarming rate in our community, or helping people and saving lives.

COMMENT 317558	2012-09-08 11:27 AM
At least you didn't get pistol whipped, body slammed, or tackled and puched in the face.
COMMENT 317562	2012-09-08 11:38 AM
yes, 558 - I was a bit concerned, as the officer was rather tyrranical with his approach. Interestingly enough he softened momentarily and even smiled when my landlord stopped to try and help, but as soon as landlord left, officer's true colors re-emerged and he refused to listen to truth or reason. The conundrum remains: I need my car back to solve this problem, and I need legal help to get it back. I did not plan for this unexpected expense, as I just spent a lot of money getting the car fixed last week.
COMMENT 317565	2012-09-08 11:46 AM
If you think pro bono means free you are mistaken.You need to pay to get your car out or pay a lawyer . Which will probable be more costly . Sounds like the story is missing a few important details. The CHP doesn't tow without goog reason.
COMMENT 317576	2012-09-08 12:00 PM
@ 317565 FYI My dad is retired police and YES they do tow for little reason, when you see them in parking lots they are usually looking for expired tags and or broken mirrors, etc. You see contrary to unpopular belief there is a quota, and some officers get competitive. A fight with the wife, a car payment over due, will simply it seems, add to the flare of pulling out the rule book to issue tickets. The book: there is a huge list they can work from. its a damned if you do and damned if you do not policy and yes the officer was well within his right to tow the car... but it does not mean he had to do it. Just because the officer decides not to ticket does not mean he was not in his right to do so. We have no rights when it comes to dealing with law enforcement. One main duty is to gather information for a conviction.. not for justice. Guilty until proven even more guilty.
COMMENT 317577	2012-09-08 12:02 PM
I when I lived in Riverside, California - I was pro Bono. I voted for Sonny in 1994. Even though poor Sonny is long gone, you might say I'm still pro Bono as I often listen to U2.
COMMENT 317581	2012-09-08 12:06 PM
Sorry OP. you are not providing all details, like expired tag, no license plate, or no insurance. Otherwise moving it into the driveway would have been legal. It either was missing legal paperwork, or you left it longer than 36 hours on your "nearby street". I do not have a driveway for my house, as I live in a rear cottage, so I am diligent about moving it several times a week, and having all renewal stickers in place. The CHP is highway patrol, not local police, so never mind telling them to clean up local crime. And They are not against you, They expect you to abide by traffic/vehicle laws . Sorry they wouldn't wait for your details(sob story).
D8VANILLA	2012-09-08 12:26 PM
I agree with 581 --- Leaving out the details will NOT help your case with us. First you need to get it out of impound and pay the fines, as they are still acrueing (getting higher for each day there). Then, go to court and appeal the case before a judge. Then, file a claim against the city/county to get your money back. But, without ALL the details, it's hard to help you. And, since it would be a small claims case, the attorney would not be able to represent you in court. There are people that will help you at Legal Aid office and inside the court, there is an office staffed by volunteers that may be able to help you a little.
COMMENT 317595	2012-09-08 12:28 PM
OP here - he haw, thatnk you for the giggles - Bono, Bono...quite a big difference! I love Bono too, the latter one. As far as legal assistance free of charge is concerned, I believe there is a helpful attorney or mediator out there who would be willing to give 1/2 hour or so of time to help protect a good citizen whose car was taken without cause, and without being given a chance to show there was no need to do so. Details will be revealed to an attorney. The officer acted upon incorrect information. I got his permission to go back to my house to get the correct ingformation for him. By the time I got back the car was gone. I have no legal issues, no warrant, have never been arrested, I get along with my neighbors, and am helpful to others whenever possible. He didn't have to tow my car. I wasn't harming anyone or anything in any way. Just going about my business.
COMMENT 317599	2012-09-08 12:34 PM
@581 Most of us learned the truth about what we rather euphemistically call "law enforcement" years ago, but I guess some people still believe such fantasies as the Honest Cop, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus.
COMMENT 317602	2012-09-08 12:42 PM
I'm sorry you got your car towed, but Law Enforcement is allowed to lie to further there investigation. He probably sent you in the house to get rid of you. Have you called Legal Aid, maybe they can assist you. 301 East Canon Perdido Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 963-6754
COMMENT 317605	2012-09-08 12:48 PM
All the Lawyers I know are Pro boners $
ZIPPER101	2012-09-08 01:06 PM
As others have suggested, you need to bite the bullet here and pay the fees to get your car back. You may try to file some sort of appeal afterwards to get reimbursed, but I honestly wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a check--it's unlikely. Unlikely too is that you're going to find a lawyer who's going to advise you for free or someone "connected' to a towing company who's going to help. FWIW, there's not much Legal Aid is going to do for you either. You may feel wronged, but you're wasting your time checking in and posting here. Write a check, use a credit card if you can, borrow the money if you have to do so. It's only going to get more expensive each day it's there. Not trying to be harsh, just realistic.
COMMENT 317615	2012-09-08 01:07 PM
If you don't give an honest and thorough description of the incident, then you are just asking for a favor from the community based on the belief that we should support you without question. I can't think of why you wouldn't share the details, unless they hurt your argument and make it less likely that one of us will supply the recommendation you're after.
SHOREBIRD	2012-09-08 01:12 PM
Is that you Edda?
COMMENT 317625	2012-09-08 01:21 PM
If only there was a website where we could post the names and badge numbers of crooked cops. Unfortunately, that would be all of them. :-/
COMMENT 317638P	2012-09-08 01:38 PM
The law is the law and cops are paid to interpret and enforce it. He wouldn't have towed your car without reason. I wish it mattered that you think you were treated unjustly or unfairly; it doesn't. What matters most is getting your car back ASAP so as to reduce the daily fees or fines that are accumulating. Sometimes life isn't fair, and it sucks, but whining just makes it worse. Pay up. Get it back. Move on.
COMMENT 317641	2012-09-08 01:41 PM
@ 615 i can't write more that 100 characters - I tried to give all the details, nanny won't let me. @ police officer's son or daughter, you're right on - he might have had "the right" to tow my car, but he didn't have to. he shouldn't have, and that read all over his face when I saw him later at the CHP office. He looked ashamed and embarrassed. his face went bright red when he saw me. If he didn't do anything wrong, why would he have that reaction? Even his co-workers wer looking at him with disgust on their faces, but they still didn't release my car. This is ridiculous.
COMMENT 317644	2012-09-08 01:49 PM
Details will be revealed to an attorney? You ask the community for help yet leave out the main details about why your car was towed? You don't seem to understand the law, the policies,.. paperwork that has to be retrieved over the phone, or anywhere in your house means it was not compliant with the law as it sat on the curb with non appropriate paperwork/stickers. You do not seem to understand the term pro-bono. Or that the officer won't wait forever.. Or that CHP is vehicle related. Or that lawyers are not involved in ANY civil court matters or refunds or retrieving cars from lots. And ultimately, you don't seem to understand the value in telling the details to the community, of which you want free advice.
COMMENT 317654	2012-09-08 02:06 PM
@625--really?
COMMENT 317655	2012-09-08 02:12 PM
I am personally pro Bonobo's - as in the chimps. They are closest genetically to humans and believe in free love, which we need more of - hey back to the 60's! Here's a clip from the wikipedia entry: The bonobo is popularly known for its high levels of sexual behavior. Sex functions in conflict appeasement, affection, social status, excitement, and stress reduction. It occurs in virtually all partner combinations and in a variety of positions. This is a factor in the lower levels of aggression seen in the bonobo when compared to the common chimpanzee and other apes. Bonobos are perceived to be matriarchal; females tend to collectively dominate males by forming alliances and use sexuality to control males. A male's rank in the social hierarchy is often determined by his mother's rank.
COMMENT 317668	2012-09-08 02:35 PM
OP, several posters have already encouraged you to do what you need to do--use a credit card, borrow money--to get your car out as soon as possible. Right now that is your priority. Your fees go up each day. Anything else can wait so do not allow yourself to be distracted by any other issue until you do this. After you get it out, then address any issues you might have outstanding whether they be unpaid registration fees, tickets, broken window or mirror, etc. Third, look into filing a claim in small claims court.
COMMENT 317675	2012-09-08 02:48 PM
You think a lawyer can rectify this in a 1/2 hour? Ha!! You clearly have never worked on a legal case. It'll take 1/2 hour just for you to tell your side. Probably 2 hours for a paralegal to research the case then many, many hours to fix it if you're in the right. Why in the world should any attourney do you this great charitable favor? There has to be some benefit for them - they need to earn a living too, regardless of their status or annual earnings.
COMMENT 317683	2012-09-08 03:13 PM
OP, I think 668 has given you a perfectly sound Pro Bono consultation and recommendation within the alloted 30 minute timeframe. Case closed.
D8VANILLA	2012-09-08 03:15 PM
Sounds like the OP took too long to "get their paperwork", especially after saying they were on the phone with AAA. ~ Seriously, how long did you think the Police were gonna wait out there???? ~What's the big deal with telling us the ENTIRE story. What do you have to hide? It's all fine & dandy, to blame the Police for the tow, AFTER you get your documents in order !!! Let's be fair here.
COMMENT 317687	2012-09-08 03:16 PM
Luv the bonobos story - keep em coming folks, thank you so much for the humor! There's nothing I can do until Monday anyway, so I'd rather be cheered up for two days than just sit here being depressed. I appreciate your comments and suggestions, too. I was hoping you'd come up with something I hadn't thought of, but so far no luck. Thank you to the kind folks, no thanks to the meanies...
COMMENT 317694P	2012-09-08 03:29 PM
The combination of a rather overly dramatic tone, the hijacking of other threads as well as the absolute unwillingness to listen to or act reasonable advice being offered, while at the same time taking note of supposedly "humorous'" comments, makes me wonder if this is actually a basic troll situation.
COMMENT 317711P	2012-09-08 03:52 PM
i think i posted about this in another towing thread, but i had a car erroneously towed by CHP once. they wiped the fees associated with the clerical mistake they made but the towing company is not directly affiliated with the CHP and they still need to be paid for their services, whether the decree to have your car towed was a mistake or not. another interesting story, when i was a student at SBCC i was ticketed in their lot for not having a front license plate, which was quite clearly screwed into it's bracket in the front of my bumper (no idea how the meter maid missed it). i drove to the DMV, showed the clerk who agreed that indeed there was a license plate where it's supposed to be on my vehicle, and exempt the ticket. i did however end up paying $10 in administrative fees to wipe the ticket. i guess there's just no winners when it comes to interacting with our traffic bureaucracy.
COMMENT 317713	2012-09-08 03:56 PM
Towing cars is big revenue here. Also, me thinks there is way more to this than meets the eye. But one noteworthy comment was "..parked on a private road less than a half a block from where I live.". If the private road is a half a block from where you live, it's not YOUR private road, and the owners likely had you towed (as I would). Private means just that. Now it's time for you to pay for encroaching on someones property... if that is indeed what happened. Since it's a big secret, all we can do is guess.
COMMENT 317717	2012-09-08 04:02 PM
I work near the City Hall parking lot and on Sundays I watch the Parking Enforcement Officer go through the lot and write tickets for expired registration. She usually gets 5 or 6 cars in that tiny lot. It is hilarious to watch the people come back to their cars and find the ticket. At first they think they have been falsely ticketed for simply parking in the lot which is only private M-F. Once they realize that they have been ticketed for expired registration they get doubly po'd. Hilarious theater of the entitled.
COMMENT 317751	2012-09-08 06:02 PM
Amazing what a persecution complex some have regarding law enforcement. Whether or not you or the officer got a detail or two wrong, they do NOT tow a car unless it is serious. DUI, non-payment of child support, failure to follow terms of a court decision, i.e. pay a fine, etc. if it was just an expired tag, they would have hundreds of thousands of cars towed and seized. The roads would be empty in the state. As The Bard said, you doth protest too much. Life is not fair. Lawyers will only prolong your agony on this. Resolve it through the DMV and CHP (not the Urban Hiker post) and don't let it happen again. You are master of your destiny.
COMMENT 317759	2012-09-08 06:31 PM
Attorneys usually take three types of cases pro bono (read: free): 1. when a friend or family member is involved; 2. when there's a warm and fuzzy public interest angle, e.g. helping a foster family adopt a foster kid; 3. cases which are easy to win with little to no work. Suing for "wrongful tow" is none of the above, which means no attorney will take this on pro bono. But, if you're really convinced you are in the right, you could always pay an attorney thousands of dollars or represent yourself. Or you could just pay the fees and move on with your life. Having been involved in litigation in the past, I would go with just paying and moving on.
COMMENT 317772	2012-09-08 07:18 PM
I would have to think the CHP link to the DMV is much more current than the AAA link to the DMV. I am an AAA user and love their services. But I think the bigger part of the story is what is not being told. CHP tows cars on "their" streets (not covered by Sheriff/Police) if there have been complaints (neighbors) or something stands out, like missing plates or expired tags.
COMMENT 317775	2012-09-08 07:26 PM
@727 for president!
COMMENT 317784	2012-09-08 07:49 PM
I've noticed that this OP has been on at least three other threads, always with the same remark; "the CHP stole my car". Squelch.
COMMENT 317854	2012-09-09 07:01 AM
Cops always tow for something serious??? Hahahaha!! good one!!! mostly, they tow to fill in their time sheet so their sergeant won't get on their case for being lazy and otherwise unproductive. and sometimes they serve private vendetta's against people that are annoying to them. that's probably what happened to OP. Lawyers I know wouldn't offer pro bono service to someone this annoying. Besides that, there are plenty of people, with bigger problems, who are more forthcoming with important facts, to serve.
COMMENT 317865	2012-09-09 07:29 AM
OP here - @ 317772 - I would have thought the same thing, but not so... The ONLY agency, person, place I worked with yesterday that had the updated, correct information was the AAA. That's why, when I finally got to the CHP office (it takes a lot longer to get things done when you don't have your car) with the updated, correct info from the AAA, the offending officer's face turned beet red and everyone in the office looked at him with disgust and disdain. I'll tell you, that said it all right there. the officer not only did the wrong thing, but it wasn't the first time.
COMMENT 317866P	2012-09-09 07:31 AM
yikes! from these tales, it looks likes we're all bugs in search of a windshield. great...just great.
COMMENT 317876P	2012-09-09 08:02 AM
OP: Yet, you're still on here, complaining, telling a partial story, and somehow conjuring up the "feelings" of the officer and his colleagues according to your own perceived and biased interpretations. Maybe he was 'beet red" with anger or disgust at you and not with shame? Is that not an equally valid interpretation? I've had my own issues with local law enforcement with regard to vehicle-related things, but, really, move on. Did you pay your ever-mounting fines yet?
LOTUSEATER	2012-09-09 08:21 AM
Why would a lawyer's musical preference for Bono help you get your car back? This pro-Bono lawyer thing makes no sense to me at all!
COMMENT 317886	2012-09-09 08:28 AM
Thank you 751 - you are correct: " they do NOT tow a car unless it is serious", or more accurately, they SHOULD not tow a car unless it is serious. That's why there was no reason to tow my car. The officer accused "you haven't done anything on this vehicle since 2010". This was completely false, and I was very patient while the AAA worked to find the correct information. Much more patient than the officer! Moreover, the landlord offered to simply move the car into his driveway. If the reason for the tow was a complaining neighbor, that would have solved it! @those of you who have issues with cops - My only issue is with THIS cop. I have no issue with the cops in general. They keep things safe for those of us who don't commit crimes. How could I have annoyed this cop? I had never met him before.
JUKINJAY	2012-09-09 08:33 AM
Something doesn't add up here. First sentence says "...from a private road". CHP isn't going to tow from a private road for registration or insurance violations. Maybe the OP didn't have permission from the owner of the road to be there?
FLICKA	2012-09-09 10:40 AM
The CHP had a reason to ticket; no current registration tag would be a guess. How could he come up w/false info, what was it? Even if you can prove it is currently registered, why wasn't the sticker in place. If it has current insurance why weren't the papers in the glove comp. instead of with AAA. I keep insurance info and registration papers in glove comp. Would be good to hear about his "false info". did he check the liscense and was it falsely reported stolen? Whole story please.
COMMENT 317918	2012-09-09 10:47 AM
one more to say - suck it up, pay the fees that complicated the parking on private property issue. I know from experience that you will feel better to just move on....really you will.
COMMENT 317958	2012-09-09 01:43 PM
Dry your tears and pay your fine. Thanks to chp for towing unregistered illegally parked vehicles off the street.
COMMENT 318028	2012-09-09 05:35 PM
I think that to qualify for pro bono assistance is pretty hard. Many years ago ... many lifetimes ago, actually ... in another state ... I was the victim of domestic violence at the hands of my husband. In this particular state there was no such thing as "no fault" divorce. Practically destitute and with no place to turn, I was fortunate enough to find an attorney who agreed to represent me pro bono. For me, there was a great deal more at stake than a "wrongful tow" and so I say, deal with it and be thankful that your life is not hanging in the balance over the issue of where you parked your car.
COMMENT 318045	2012-09-09 06:40 PM
When I called an attorney friend, 20 years ago, and asked his advice on how to recoup my "bail" money, after a Santa Barbara police officer had wrongly ticketed me and THEN LIED IN COURT----my friend asked me this question: "Would you pay $20 for a cup of coffee?" In other words, move on. It will rankle you for years, but why waste time, energy and money on a case you cannot win. Ever hear of a "Pyrrhic Victory?" That's where you win the battle, but lose the war. Still don't get it? It is a victory won, but only after incurring terrible losses. Cut your losses.
COMMENT 318049	2012-09-09 06:59 PM
045 - Your 'Pyrrhic Victory' comment is apropos here. Sounds like the OP may be one of those people who simply can't let go of a perceived wrong. And, by making presumptions about the thinking of CHP employees and defying the Edhat community request for a more complete explanation, the OP may not be fully grounded in reality. He or she probably believes he or she is in the right, probable facts notwithstanding.
COMMENT 318055	2012-09-09 07:23 PM
OP, you leave out WHOSE private road it was towed from. No matter if the registration was current, or anything else about the car itself, if it was parked on someone's property without their permission, then away it goes. It is NOW parked on some tow company's property, WITH their permission, and will stay there until you pay the fees (which are mounting daily). If you don't, then it will become their property and they will sell it for you.
COMMENT 318166	2012-09-10 07:08 AM
Cop didn't say car was pkd illegally. If there was phone call from a neighbor, car pkd on their property, why would cop tow car for missing reg tag? We offered to move car. People steal reg tags off cars to avoid paying reg fees. Happened to me once. I got a new tag, paid the $10 fix it fine, and moved on. This is nothing like that! This cop's mistake could end up costing hundreds. I can't afford to buy a cup of coffee, I make it at home. If I had the $ for the tow, impound, etc. I would just pay it and then file a claim. obvi, I don't have the $. If I did, wouldn't have to ask for help. Shame on you assumption-makers. and u call urselves community. TY to the helpful folks, wish there were more people like you.
COMMENT 318209	2012-09-10 08:22 AM
The dramatic tone of this story and associated OP comments, coupled with the "cop was fine with the landlord, then turned when I reappeared" storyline tells it all to me. Some people just cannot get along properly in a civil society and the nutty drama just oozes from their pores. Cops see this every day with addicts, liars and crooks and know to discount the drama and stick to the facts such as expired registrations.

Comments on this thread are only open to Community Members.

# # # #