They think so in Los Angeles where the city attorney has advised police to stop impounding the cars of unlicensed drivers. The Los Angeles Times reports that police police have called a moratrorium on the practice of impounding cars when the only offense is driving without a license. In most cases, these cars are driven by illegal immigrants.
L.A.P.D. made that change after the city attorney said the impounding practice may be unconstitutional. A decision on the issue by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has made the lawyers in L.A. nervous, and they are examining the ramifications of that ruling.
The reason this could be significant for Fresno is that this is a common practice at DUI checkpoints right here in Raisin City. I pointed that out in a recent blog posting.
Here's part of that blog item:
On Wednesday night at Palm and Pinedale avenues, nine drivers were arrested on suspicion of DUI during a checkpoint operation in which typically 3,000 cars pass through. There were 29 vehicles impounded because the drivers didn't have valid licenses,[Sgt. Eric] Eide said the reason is simple. . . most of the drivers who did not have licenses were undocumented immigrants. It's a reflection of the region's demographics, Eide said. A smaller number of violators were driving on suspended licenses.
The immigrants were otherwise obeying the law, Eide said. Their children were buckled into car seats. Everyone was wearing seat belts. The drivers weren't drunk or on drugs. They just didn't have drivers licenses because of their immigration status.
No word yet on whether Fresno PD is reconsidering its impound policy. But this is a controversial issue, and seems to have many legal interpretations. The Times reported that the L.A. Sheriff's Department is continuing to impound cars of unlicensed drivers. The Alameda County D.A.'s office has told police agencies in that county to continue to impound cars driven by unlicensed drivers, according to the Times.
It's all about money, it's that simple.
How souless do you have to be, to make a man with two kids in the back of the car get out of their car and make them walk home in the middle of the night.
I say take their shoes too!-Then they'll really get the message.Seriously if Jim checks the BestOf in my file he'll find a letter 2-3 years ago asking someone at The Bee to follow the money on the harvesting of vehicles from what I assumed were illegal aliens.30-50 cars a week times 2-3 years is a whole lot of vehiculos amigo.Jim, it's OK if you want to take credit but you should hire me in some capacity because I'm way ahead of the curve on a lot of issues.2-3 years sometimes.The next big thing?The California Revolution.
If you don't impound the cars then it says to the general public....heck, why renew my license? I can save my money! Yes, I want a free ride too!