01-11-2008, 01:37 PM
Many States have come up with a novel way to curb abuse with vehicles. They made any alteration of vehicle registration, insurance, or identification a crime and mandate that the evidence be held AS-IS for trial. No affidavits, no sworn statements, no photographs - the actual vehicle and altered paperwork is all held as evidence.
So if you are pulled over and the registration paperwork, stickers, inspection, insurance car, VIN or plates are not for that vehicle or has been altered, the car is seized until released by the court. This is so the court can see not only the altered items, but also the actual vehicle it was on to confirm the violation. The courts have the authority to release the vehicle to the registered owner for hardship, upon proof the altered items was not done at or with the knowledge of the registered owner, or any other mitigating circumstances.
The fear of having the actual vehicle taken and held until trial outcome is starting to have a positive impact. From what I read, Hawaii can't seize the vehicle until the person is convicted. Heck, hold it as physical evidence. A few States have even imposed this Hold as Evidence on uninsured vehicles. And it's already passed constitutional muster.
So if you are pulled over and the registration paperwork, stickers, inspection, insurance car, VIN or plates are not for that vehicle or has been altered, the car is seized until released by the court. This is so the court can see not only the altered items, but also the actual vehicle it was on to confirm the violation. The courts have the authority to release the vehicle to the registered owner for hardship, upon proof the altered items was not done at or with the knowledge of the registered owner, or any other mitigating circumstances.
The fear of having the actual vehicle taken and held until trial outcome is starting to have a positive impact. From what I read, Hawaii can't seize the vehicle until the person is convicted. Heck, hold it as physical evidence. A few States have even imposed this Hold as Evidence on uninsured vehicles. And it's already passed constitutional muster.