Question of liability

[smallclaims101]

What is the name of your state? CALIFORNIA

Hello,

A few months ago, I bought a car from a private party and in order to follow the DMV rules, I began the registration process. The DMV informed me that the car needed to be smogged so without my knowing, they actually recorded that I had begun registering but it would not be finished until the smog was done.

The car failed the smog and some illegal things were found under the hood that my initial inspection mechanic had missed. Only the trained eye of the smog mechanic found these things so I attempted to return the car to the person I bought it from.

Now, many months later, having gone through mediation and court, I finally have a judgement saying that this person has to take the car and return my money, by law. However, after talking to the DMV, I found that I am on record as the "pending registered owner" of the car.

How can I release my liability on all of the parking tickets and towing costs that the car is now going to consume because I cannot move it anymore? I have already mailed in a Release of Liability form, but doesn't the person I am releasing it to have to also send something in? Why is my name on the car in the first place if I never finished the registration process?

Thanks!