[sue_s]

Dear Friends,

Yesdterday I got a ticket from the police because the registration of my car was expired on 31st jUNE and I was just about to renew it but the police caught me and he even inpounded my car and towed it away. My question to everyone is Can a police tow away the vehicle if the registration has expired even if the owner of the vehicle who has a valid New Jersey drivers license is present over there.

The reason I still didn't register it was that I just got bac my car 2 weeks ago and it was with the mechnic from the last 4 weeks, so after I got my car I was thinking to go for registration but didn't get a chance because I work full time and also go to school. I know that is not an excuse for not going to DMV,and I truly regret that but I just coudnt believe that the police can tow away the vehicle just like that, the police wasn't even ready to talk to me and his behavior was also not good. The whole situation created a lot of mental harassment to me also

Please my friends if you can answer my question and ii would be grateful since if the police is not allowed to take the vehicle like that then I can defend my case.

Thank you

[s_cianci]

Technically it sounds like the police were in the right. However, it seems rather unusual that they'd impound a vehicle whose registration expired not even 30 days ago. Also understand that a registration can be renewed by mail or on-line. You don't need the vehicle to be physically in your possession in order to renew a registration. So the fact that it was in a shop being repaired at the time that the renewal was due is not going to constitute a valid defense. Your only practical recourse is going to be to pay the fine and renew the registration immediately. (Incidentially, June only has 30 days.)