So, I loaned my car out to someone, and they went all the way to California from Texas. They ended up getting arrested over there, and now my car is sitting in the police department in Coalinga, Fresno, CA. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do to get it back, and I’m trying to avoid paying a fortune. Any ideas on where to even start with this?
Oof, that’s a tough spot to be in. Have you called the police in Coalinga yet? Sometimes they can give you info on the process to get your car back. But yeah, expect there to be some fees.
Dallas said:
Oof, that’s a tough spot to be in. Have you called the police in Coalinga yet? Sometimes they can give you info on the process to get your car back. But yeah, expect there to be some fees.
I haven’t called yet, honestly, I’m not sure where to begin. I’ll try reaching out soon though. Just hoping it doesn’t cost a ton to get it back.
I’d suggest getting in touch with a criminal lawyer, especially one with experience in traffic law. They can help you navigate getting your car back after the arrest, and they might be able to cut through the red tape.
@Oli
Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. I’ll look for one who can help with something like this. Fingers crossed it’s not super expensive.
You should be able to get your car back since it’s yours. Just make sure you have all the paperwork proving it’s yours, like your registration and insurance. A lawyer can probably help with that too, if needed.
@Lyle
I’ve got all that! I’ll make sure to bring it when I reach out to the authorities. Hopefully it’s just a matter of getting through the process.
I had a similar issue once. You might need to prove you had no part in whatever the borrower did. But once you do that, the police usually release the car. Just keep the receipts for any fees you pay, you might be able to get them refunded later.
@Jane
Good point, I’ll keep everything documented just in case. Thanks for the heads-up!
I’d suggest contacting the DMV in both Texas and California. It might help clear things up faster if they know the situation. If the car was impounded due to the arrest, a lawyer can probably speed things up for you.
@Jesse
That’s a great idea. I’ll reach out to both and see if they can help me figure things out. Appreciate the advice!