can they get you gor theft of a motor vehicle even if the car is not in there current possesion and you cant afford to have it released
2007-01-04 18:09:58 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I have never heard of a police organization -- including US Customs and the New York City parking authority, to name two -- that failed to return a rental vehicle to its corporate owners. Normally the company pays the fine and bills your credit card.
Seizure by act of law or by public authority cannot be theft; but if the vehicle is not promptly returned it is a civil violation of the terms of the contract. The contract was also violated by the act of renting without a valid (unsuspended) license.
I wonder how Budget came to rent the car without checking on the license; and even more improbably, without checking on the amount of credit available on the credit card. Major car rental firms rarely rent without a credit card being supplied. Even in the case of prepaid rentals.
(One of the mysteries of Katrina that I haven't seen mentioned in the press is what happened to the renters of rental cars destroyed in the flood.)
2007-01-04 18:44:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Rental companies have no way of checking to see if a customer's license is suspended. To do so would be illegal. If a customer presents what appears to be a valid license and a credit card, the rental company has done their job. The person who rents the car obviously knows their license is under suspension and immediately commits either fraud or theft. Either way, if they drive the car, they can be arrested and the car towed. Most police agencies will notify the rental company that the car has been towed and will tell them where it has been towed to. The rental comany will have to pay the towing and storage fees to retrieve the car, then go after the customer. I doubt that they would be convicted of theft, but yes, they could be charged with it. Renting a car while they know their license is suspended is just stupid.
2007-01-05 11:00:44 · answer #2 · answered by David L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, to rent a car you have to sign a contract. In that contract it states that you are responsible for it until YOU return it to the car rental co. There is no wording that states if you get busted for DUI, then you'll be released from the contract. And the most logical answer is, who got the DUI? I don't think the rental co. made you drive while intoxicated. Best bet? Admit you screwed up and pay any, and all fines and chalk it up as experience.
2007-01-04 19:06:11 · answer #3 · answered by johN p. aka-Hey you. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't think they can not get you for motor vehicle theft because there is no intent to deprive ownership. He may be required to pay to have the vehicle for the extra time, the tow bill, and an impound fee though.
2007-01-04 18:13:08 · answer #4 · answered by Ben 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no it was not stolen the police impounded it
2007-01-04 18:11:56 · answer #5 · answered by sunshine 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋