I live in Florida. My car was towed this morning, unbeknownst to me. I went outside to get in the car to go to work and it wasn't there. I called the police who informed me that it had been towed. I called the tow company who told me that they towed it because the sticker is expired, and my car is now impounded. I told them that my registration is current because it IS. They told me I still needed to pay them in order to pick it up. They told me they had put a 24-hour notice sticker on the car, but yesterday was my day off and I didn't even go outside!
1) Aren't they required to double-check before they tow a vehicle if the registration IS in fact expired or not? (I did a simple check on the DMV website myself just a little while ago. I entered the vehicle ID #, and the info came right up, showing that everything is current and up-to-date.)
I called the police again who told me I should file a report for stolen vehicle and contact the DMV also to report it stolen. I wanted to ask an attorney for advice before I do anything. I've been calling around, and one person answered and told me that yes, I should file a report for stolen vehicle. She said she was one of the attorneys there at that firm, but that another attorney would call me back.
2) Should I go pick up the car and pay for it? Do I file a small claims dispute/suit before or after?
Help! Thanks!

