Do the police have the authority to hold my dad's car in a case involving me?

Question

Here's the situation...My father gave me permission to drive his car a couple of weeks ago, and it was stolen during the time that I had it. On the initial police report I filed that night, I was not entirely truthful about certain details. They recovered the vehicle, have the guy in custody, and want me to go down and "answer some more questions" since they don't believe my story. I was not involved in the theft, obviously, but I am facing a perjury charge for lying to the police. Now, they are holding my father's car hostage, saying they will not release it until I go down there. I talked to my attorney, who said that he does not want me having any more contact with the police (they are PA State Police), and definitely not going down there to "answer some questions." Meanwhile, my dad needs his car back so he can stop paying for the rental that he has...Do they have the authority to hold his car like this? It almost seems like ransom...Please help.

In response to the plethora of ignorant responses, I will clear this up: I was not involved in anything--I was protecting another family member. And nearly all of you were dead wrong--the car was returned to my father on Monday, along with a verbal apology from the attending trooper--it was not considered "evidence." My attorney talked to the troopers, and cleared everything up. I am not facing any charges myself. Sadly, the person who stole the vehicle (a relative of ours) was processed and charged. And for final clarification, this was never MY mess--the one who stole the vehicle caused all of this, and the police exacerbated it. They admitted to their mistake and our relative is facing the consequences for his.

Answer 1

I believe if your father went down to pick the car up they would let him have it.
He could sue the police department for not giving it back, afterall his tax dollars is paying their salaries.
It is best u get your story straight and look after number 1-
You.
Just stick to your story no matter what if your life is on the line.

Answer 2

Dude.. like everyone else says.. its YOUR mess.. YOU need to clean it up.

It seems unlikley they would hold his car simply because YOU lied, so I suspect there is a back story there. If push comes to shove your dad should have his own attorney go down and get the car released if he can not do it on his own. But if you are talking about a serious crime besides the simple theft, then that may be an uphill battle.

For example, (extreme example) if someone were killed in that car, it would be held as evidence all the way thru the trial regardless of WHO owned it.

Sounds like you have got yourself between a rock and a hard spot and you have also dragged your dad in there with you. Normally I would tell you to Cowboy up and get the matter solved, but it sounds like you are past that option now, so stick with your attorney and better start keeping track of how much you owe your father and your friends.

..

Answer 3

I would love to know the real story about this whole thing. Why would you have to lie to the police if someone stole your car?

If you Dad wants the car back HE should contact the police as he is the registered owner. You have no authority to demand anything. They may have the authority to hold the car as it is currently evidence in an ongoing criminal investigation.

How about you own up to your stupid mistakes, be a grown up and go down there and deal with YOUR mess.

Answer 4

Why would you lie about a car being stolen from you?. UNLESS, you may have been involved in something, let's say an accident, and you're trying to cover it up by reporting the vehicle stolen. If this is the case, you can be charged with falsifying an official report, and a whole lot more.

Answer 5

You are the root of the problem, not the police. Quite possibly, if you would just go answer their questions, the issue would be resolved and the vehicle might be released.
However, you have the right to remain silent and the police have the right to hold the car as long as necessary to complete the investigation. And until their questions get answered, well, there you have it. Wake up.

Answer 6

Yes, the police can hold any car that was used in a crime or is or may contain evidence of a crime. Since you have a lawyer, tell him you have to cooperate with the police because your dad needs his car back and then take him with you to answer the questions.

Answer 7

Yes they do have the right to hold the car. In this case they are not holding the car due to the owner, they are holding it due to the fact that it was involved in the incident. There is really nothing your dad could do to get it back, you would have to do as they say since the car is categorized as evidence and when they return the car is at their discretion.

Answer 8

Just another example of why its not too bright to lie to the police esp. since you did nothing wrong. Or did you? What was in the car? They can hold the car for evidence until that guy is convicted of the crime if they think they need it. They can hold until you tell them what they want to know.

Answer 9

fist you say nothing to the police w/o your lawyer present, they are after you for a charge, if the police show up at your door say nothing, do not agree to go down to station, ask for your lawyer

on you dad it sounds like he will have to file a motion with the court to force the police to release the car

Answer 10

Deadbeat fathers are a nuisance and price to our society. i have under no circumstances heard of vehicles impounded for not paying new child help, because you desire a vehicle to artwork. they're going to droop your license, as long as you're making preparations and then they could have your wages garnished. once you're to blame on your human being, you may want to dodge this and also you could make preparations on your human being words.