Displaying Fictitious Number Plate??

Question

I got a citation for Displayed Fictitious Number Plate in Colorado. (42-3-121 (1) (b).
I was driving my car that I had purchased from a lady that I work with. She left the tags on there and told me I could keep them. Now the care was registered, just not in my name. Is this correct? Should I have been charged with this? The officer took my plates at the scene, and I had to have my car towed. I got it registered today, in my name. I have to go to court because of this. If the charge is correct, what can happen to me when I go to court?? If there is anyone that might have advice for me, I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks!!!

Answer 1

In Colorado when you buy a car from a private seller they are to keep the plates, and the buyer is responsible for obtaining temporary tags. This means that the plates on your car were no longer valid.

Before you go to court you should make sure that you got all of the paperwork you needed to for the sale of a vehicle in Colorado.

-Colorado Certificate of Title―The document should be in the seller's name (if there is more than one owner listed, all parties must sign off on the form). The information requested in the seller's box on the back of the title should be filled out, the form needs to be signed. Also, write in the address and name of the buyer.
-If the vehicle being sold is 10 years old or less, a valid odometer reading is required.
-If the buyer resides in an emissions region, it is the seller's responsibility to provide a current inspection certificate.
-A bill of sale listing the buyer's name, agreed upon purchase amount, vehicle identification number (VIN), and the year and make of the vehicle.

Sorry, but I think that not knowing all the laws associated with buying/selling a used vehicle did you in this time. Good luck at your court date... I hope it goes well.

Answer 2

The plates still belong to the woman that you bought the car from. Regardless on whether she said you could have them or not the they are technically state property and were issued to her. When you go to court you will most likely only receive a fine.

Answer 3

42-3-121 (1) (b) in Colorado deals with handicapped tags. If you had such tags on your car but weren't authorized by the state to display them, yeah, you bet, you should get charged.

You should be able to call the city/district attorney and find out what the penalties can be.

Answer 4

believe it or not i had this happen to me.
Being that i wasnt the driver though at the time i didnt get charged my friend did. Anyway you will pay fines out the wazoo.
As far as jail time dont worry about it you wont.
You might worse case senerio get lose of license because you will get points.
Next time wait to get the plates or tow to your house.
Best of luck and happy holidays

Answer 5

Well, if everything you are saying is accurate, I would have the woman you bought the car from go to court with you. BUT Personally, I think the woman may have filed a complaint that you were driving with her plates. That is why they were seized. She may have said to keep them--thinking you would drive the weekend and then get them transferred to your name. How long did you drive on her plates? A month? 2 months?

Answer 6

That would be one of three or four charges you would have gotten if I had stoped you.

When you bought the car, the other persons plate does not stay on the car, Once you buy it, you have to register it in your name, and get your own plates, or have temp plates on it to drive it. ( also it would have to be insured by you, not the old owner.

So yes, this was not your plate, and could not stay on the car.
The lady you bougt it from lied to you.

Answer 7

if its not your car.. then the judge might dismiss it and send it to the correct person

Answer 8

Yeah. You f-ed up.

Answer 9

I'd fight that.
Sounds bogus, but you never know.