If you live in your vehicle, and it is towed, and you cannot afford the towing and storage costs, ask for a
hearing right away and explain your individual financial circumstances and your financial hardship. Tell the judge what your monthly income and living expenses are and that you have no money to pay the costs. Say the amount is excessive under the Constitution.
If it was a public impound,
the judicial officer at your impound hearing must consider your ability to pay the fees (storage, impound fee, fine, the whole thing) and must lower the costs according to your ability to pay.
If you live in your vehicle as your primary home, it cannot be auctioned off. But you might have to go to court
to stop a sale. Tell the judge at your impound hearing if you have gotten a notice from the towing company that your vehicle will be sold. Tell the judge your vehicle is your homestead and what collection actions have been undertaken.
If you still don't get a hearing after that, and the vehicle you live in is about to be sold, get legal help
right away. (See contact info below.) You may also want to write to the towing company that your vehicle is your homestead and it cannot be auctioned off for the impound costs.
This quote is from Washington Law Help. See link below. Good luck!
😊
https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/resource/what-to-do-if-your-vehicle-has-been-towed
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From: fullcoalition@list.pchomeless.org <fullcoalition@list.pchomeless.org>
On Behalf Of Jennifer Ammons
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 2:50 PM
To: Colter, Megan (DSHS/ESA/CSD) <Megan.Colter@dshs.wa.gov>; fullcoalition@list.pchomeless.org
Subject: Homeless Coalition - RE: Impound Fees
|
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jennifera@nwjustice.org.
Learn why this is important |
I don’t have a resource, but this is a HUGE problem that may need a statutory fix. I’ve had at least one client lose their vehicle to auction because police impounded it after it had been stolen
and the client couldn’t come up with enough cash to pay the ever-increasing fine. I’ve heard countless other clients complain about having to pay towing fees after their car was stolen or about losing their car after it was towed due to a DUI, driving without
a license or insurance, etc. The auctions happen in 2-3 weeks. This seems particularly egregious in the context of car thefts, where the owner has done nothing wrong but is victimized a second time when the car is found. When police locate a car that was
reported stolen, they usually don’t bother to contact the owner before having the car towed, so the owner has no opportunity to retrieve the car without incurring hundreds of dollars in towing and storage fees. They should be required to give the owner an
opportunity to retrieve the vehicle or have to foot the bill for the tow. We may also need a fund for this or the ability to access crime victims’ compensation funding for tow fees.
Jennifer Ammons
Staff Attorney
Northwest Justice Project - Tacoma
(253) 272-7879, ext. 0937
fax: (206) 299-3061
This email may contain information that is protected by attorney-client, work product or other privileges. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that dissemination,
use or reliance upon its contents is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please contact me by reply email and then delete this email.
From:
fullcoalition@list.pchomeless.org <fullcoalition@list.pchomeless.org>
On Behalf Of Colter, Megan (DSHS/ESA/CSD)
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 2:03 PM
To: fullcoalition@list.pchomeless.org
Subject: Homeless Coalition - Impound Fees
|
Caution: This is an external email. Please take care when
clicking links or opening attachments. |
Good afternoon all,
I have a client with disabilities who had his car stolen awhile back. A police officer came out to discuss with him after it happened, so as far as he knows, there was a report filed. He was just notified yesterday that the car has been
impounded, and he will need to pay fees that are currently out of his reach in order to retrieve it. Time is of the essence, as the fees increase by $66+tax daily.
Does anyone know of any resources available to assist? Please let me know and I am happy to connect you with him.
Thank you!
MEGAN COLTER
/ SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST 2
Lakewood CSO / Economic Services Administration
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
360-407-4719 /
Megan.Colter@dshs.wa.gov
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Transforming
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This listserv is part of the Tacoma/Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness.
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E-mail the full coalition by sending to
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Remember, this list is distributed to over 700 people - send no information that can identify a client and avoid unnecessary e-mails (a thank you is polite when sent to 1 person,
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This listserv is part of the Tacoma/Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness.
-
E-mail the full coalition by sending to
fullcoalition@list.pchomeless.org
-
Remember, this list is distributed to over 700 people - send no information that can identify a client and avoid unnecessary e-mails (a thank you is polite when sent to 1 person,
but a nuisance when sent to 700). This listserv is open to everyone.
-
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unsubscribe from the list, or take a gander at the
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