What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan
Last week the police came to my house and insisted that they had seen my car speeding a couple of miles away but were unable to catch it. They asked me who was driving it, and I told them that I didn't think anyone was since I just woke up when the dog barked. He started looking around for my son, so I told him that my son wasn't home and was at an appointment in town. He continued looking around and asked what my son was driving. I told him exactly where my son was as well as what he was driving. I told him that there are several other vehicles that look almost identical to mine further down the road. I see them pass all the time. He told me that if someone didn't come forward and admit to driving my car he was going to tow my car. I told him that I guess he could write me a ticket if he wanted because it would be cheaper than losing my car over something that I know nothing about. He said he couldn't write me a ticket because he knew I wasn't driving, but he called the wrecker and had my car taken away.
I am disabled, and can barely walk, and my car barely runs, and certainly couldn't outrun a police car. I wrote a letter to the prosecuting attorney asking to have my car released. I explained that I am disabled and need it for medical appointments and since the officer admitted that he knew I hadn't outrun him they should release my car.
My car was released this week, but I was stuck with a $75 towing bill because he had it towed. I'm glad to get my car back, but am thinking that I should be able to sue the police department for the tow bill. It was bad enough being without my car for a week but having to pay the tow bill because they took my car for no good reason is just ridiculous.
First, I would like to know if the police entering my private property and taking this car without a warrant is not a violation of the 4th amendment with regards to illegal seizure? Secondly, I would like to know how to go about suing them, and if it might be possible to win without hiring a lawyer because I really can't afford one. I would like to win just on principle, but can't afford to spend a fortune for a lawyer to do it.
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The link provided by the member below refers to an incident from two years ago and has absolutely nothing to do with this incident, other than being one of the officers involved at that time. I found out on the previous incident that my son had taken my truck while I was not home, but this time he did not. He was at an appointment with plenty of witnesses (including government employees) as to his whereabouts. My son may not be an angel, but just because he got in trouble for something a couple of years ago does not mean that he is guilty every time they are looking for someone to pin something on.
Furthermore, my question asks for advice on the possibility of suing the police for removing my car from my private property without a warrant and without good cause, and having them pay the towing bill.
Last week the police came to my house and insisted that they had seen my car speeding a couple of miles away but were unable to catch it. They asked me who was driving it, and I told them that I didn't think anyone was since I just woke up when the dog barked. He started looking around for my son, so I told him that my son wasn't home and was at an appointment in town. He continued looking around and asked what my son was driving. I told him exactly where my son was as well as what he was driving. I told him that there are several other vehicles that look almost identical to mine further down the road. I see them pass all the time. He told me that if someone didn't come forward and admit to driving my car he was going to tow my car. I told him that I guess he could write me a ticket if he wanted because it would be cheaper than losing my car over something that I know nothing about. He said he couldn't write me a ticket because he knew I wasn't driving, but he called the wrecker and had my car taken away.
I am disabled, and can barely walk, and my car barely runs, and certainly couldn't outrun a police car. I wrote a letter to the prosecuting attorney asking to have my car released. I explained that I am disabled and need it for medical appointments and since the officer admitted that he knew I hadn't outrun him they should release my car.
My car was released this week, but I was stuck with a $75 towing bill because he had it towed. I'm glad to get my car back, but am thinking that I should be able to sue the police department for the tow bill. It was bad enough being without my car for a week but having to pay the tow bill because they took my car for no good reason is just ridiculous.
First, I would like to know if the police entering my private property and taking this car without a warrant is not a violation of the 4th amendment with regards to illegal seizure? Secondly, I would like to know how to go about suing them, and if it might be possible to win without hiring a lawyer because I really can't afford one. I would like to win just on principle, but can't afford to spend a fortune for a lawyer to do it.
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The link provided by the member below refers to an incident from two years ago and has absolutely nothing to do with this incident, other than being one of the officers involved at that time. I found out on the previous incident that my son had taken my truck while I was not home, but this time he did not. He was at an appointment with plenty of witnesses (including government employees) as to his whereabouts. My son may not be an angel, but just because he got in trouble for something a couple of years ago does not mean that he is guilty every time they are looking for someone to pin something on.
Furthermore, my question asks for advice on the possibility of suing the police for removing my car from my private property without a warrant and without good cause, and having them pay the towing bill.
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