stolen! found! abandoned?

[jterrorc]

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

here is the scenerio:
my car gets stolen..didnt here from anyone within a month..finally they send me a letter sayin they hav my car...i figured forget it month worth of fees is more than my hooptie....disregarded bought a car went on with life...3 months later i get a lettter sayin that i owe $3000..if i do not claim the car i will be subject to being charge with a violation of "abandoning vehicle". my question is if this is just a bluff or if its possible.
mind you this is a letter from the towing company not the MVC

Here is the statute:
"39:4-56.5. Abandonment of motor vehicle
1. a. It shall be unlawful for any person to abandon a motor vehicle on or along any highway, other than a limited access highway, or other public property or on any private property without the consent of the owner or other person in charge of the private property. A vehicle which has remained on or along any highway or other public property or on private property without such consent for a period of more than 48 hours or for any period without current license plates shall be presumed to be an abandoned motor vehicle. Vehicles used or to be used in the construction, operation or maintenance of public utility facilities and which are left in a manner which does not interfere with the normal movement of traffic shall not be considered abandoned vehicles for the purposes of this section.

b.It shall be unlawful for any person to abandon a motor vehicle on or along any limited access highway without the consent of the State Department of Transportation or other entity having jurisdiction over the limited access highway, as the case may be. A vehicle which remains on or along such a highway for a period of more than four hours or for any period without current license plates shall be presumed to be an abandoned motor vehicle. Legally parked vehicles, such as vehicles parked in a designated rest area for not more than 12 hours, or vehicles used or to be used in the construction, operation or maintenance of public utility facilities and which are left in a manner which does not interfere with the normal movement of traffic shall not be considered abandoned vehicles for the purposes of this section.

c.Any person who violates this section shall be subject for the first offense to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 and his license or driving privilege may be suspended or revoked by the director for not more than two years. For any subsequent violation he shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, and his license or driving privilege be suspended or revoked for a period of not more than five years."

[davew128]

Did you file a stolen car report?

[JETX]

Originally Posted by jterrorc

my question is if this is just a bluff or if its possible.

No one can answer that. Only the person making the 'bluff' can tell you if he is going to go through with it or not. And yes, it is possible. You (owner) are liable for ALL fees that your vehicle incurs (towing, storage, etc.).

Did you report the car stolen?? If so, you might be able to avoid the towing and impound fees. If not, then they are yours.

[jterrorc]

yes the car was reported stolen right away. we have the report

[davew128]

And of course you provided the towing company with a copy of said police report when they threatened you, right?