So, the police stole my buddies car trailer...

[Broncojohnny]

It wasn't stolen. The police confiscated it because at some point in this trailers life, the sticker that had the vin in it was removed, likely when it was painted. We have a bill of sale, registration reciepts, state inspection reports for the last several years. The only think the state cared about was previous registrations, and there were none, as it came from out of state. We even had an affidavit from the guy we bought it from, but the farce of a court hearing didn't even care.

Of course they didn't, all they want to do is steal your shit.

And no, I wouldn't care if I had a trailer that was stolen. That wouldn't modify my views on the burden of proof that requires authorities to prove something is stolen before taking it. That is because if we allow this with trailers then they'll decide that other things are stolen and start stealing those too. Like cash, they already steal that, it is well documented in story after story. I don't keep a title, bill of sale or any other proof for my car, cash, cell phone, car stereo, clothes, watch or anything else while I am driving, is all of that shit stolen too until I can prove it isn't?

Of course it isn't. And if someone thinks it IS then the burden of proof is on them to prove it. Just like it should be with a fucking trailer.

[SMKR]

I keep having this feeling that the cops will find a group of "the wrong guy on the wrong day" that will respond to their theft properly.

X2

[dcs13]

Any trailer over 4k gvw has to be titled AND have a VIN.http://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buyin...hicle/trailers
.Sounds like they had a property hearing and your buddy could not prove ownership enough to satisfy the judge.

[Sean88gt]

I like their thieving ass police chief.

That guy seems like a first rate cunt that should take a hooded walk through George Zimmerman's neighborhood. Piece of shit.

Seems this is common practice for Alvarado Pd. what a bunch of crooked fucking cock suckers.

Indeed, crooked from the top down.


Kingjason, quit acting like a road pirate

[racrguy]

Any trailer over 4k gvw has to be titled AND have a VIN.http://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buyin...hicle/trailers
.Sounds like they had a property hearing and your buddy could not prove ownership enough to satisfy the judge.

Why does the burden of proof lie with the accused?

[Sean88gt]

I don't get how a trailer can look a certain way. I've seen home made work by craftsmen that was amazing compared to production line pieces.

[dcs13]

Why does the burden of proof lie with the accused?

Its like a car. There is not a member on this board that would drive a car down the road without a VIN. That's stupid. Why is a trailer that is REQUIRED to have a VIN any different ?

[racrguy]

Then why weren't these people charged with a crime? Possession of stolen property is still a crime, best I know. It's not that you suspect a crime been committed, it's that you prove one has, during the hearing.

[SMKR]

Hopefully they reply

[lincolnboy]

Yup everyone that owns a trailer knows that. Like those with bike having different motors.

[racrguy]

How can it be stolen if there's no complainant?

Exactly. There must be a victim for there to be a crime, I think.

[lincolnboy]

Tell that to Bill Cosby

[Trip McNeely]

Hopefully they reply

LOL!! The heat is onnnnnnnnnn..

[Sean88gt]

It'll be deleted.

[dcs13]

How can it be stolen if there's no complainant?

Texas laws have affirmed that a vehicle without a VIN is potentially stolen and therefore subject to seizure and a hearing held to determine ownership.

Its a long read but I parsed a few of the "meat and potatoes" of the case:

Ruling:
The State was entitled to seize the trailer for lack of a VIN and to initiate a Chapter 47 proceeding to determine who had a superior right of possession. Even if the State intended to take York's property, as he contends, it could obtain through the proceeding at most possession subject to a claim of ownership, and that is all the justice court awarded. York could have appealed but did not do so. He could have appealed the denial of his bill of review but chose not to. He has prosecuted this action to set aside the justice court's judgment and may yet prevail. And he is not barred from suing the officials who continue to hold the trailer to establish his ownership. Any of these procedures, and certainly all of them together, afford York ample opportunity to recover the trailer and therefore preclude his takings claim. - See more at: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/tx-suprem....CDeqCA23.dpuf

Initial facts:
In October 2006, Trooper Tim Godwin of the Department of Public Safety (“DPS”), in his words, “stopped a York water Tanker” in Paradise, Texas, in Wise County.3 The investigative report by Sergeant David Martinez states that the 1981 M & D model tank trailer was being operated by York Tank Truck, a local oilfield business owned by Larry York. The York name was emblazoned on the side of the trailer. The trailer's registration receipt designated the renewal recipient as York Vacuum, another name for York's business, and listed the trailer's owner as the McNutt Co. in Snyder, Texas.4 But the trailer had no vehicle identification number (VIN), so Martinez impounded it, as a peace officer is authorized to do by Texas law, which then permits the seized vehicle to be treated as stolen for purposes of custody and disposition.5 - See more at: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/tx-suprem....CDeqCA23.dpuf