California
I was at a stop light waiting for the light to turn green when a cop pulled up behind me. The light was pretty long so he had time to run my plates if he wanted. The car is registered. He pulled me over when I got across the light. He comes to the window and asks for lic and reg. I ask him what is he stopping me for. He says the top center brake light is out. (The other required two are working fine, mind you)
So when he runs my license he sees its suspended. I actually have a restriction on it to drive to and from work.
He impounds my car for 30 days.
On my citation the charge is 14601.1(a) suspended dl
and also failure to appear - (which is why the dl was suspended)
i already had a hearing with teh watch commander whose dmv records did show my license was restricted to go to work only. but he wouldnt release it because it was three hours after I got off work when I was stopped.
So can the whole stop and impoundment be suppressed because the dmv vehicle code for california : 24603 says only two lamps are required and they were working fine.
and after 30 days the towing company has told me i will be charged $70 a day for stairage plus 200 for towing not to mention 60 for a release. and if that was unlawful stop and i can suopress or do somehting, doesnt the police agency absorb the towing fees?