A federal circuit judge writes that Detroit’s vehicle seizure scheme
“is simply a money-making venture—one most often used to extort money from those who can least afford it.”
A panel of federal appellate judges ruled that Detroit’s practice of seizing people’s cars for months before allowing them to contest the seizure violates vehicle owners’ 14th Amendment right to due process.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, agreeing with a lower U.S. district court, found that Michigan’s Wayne County, which includes Detroit,
“violated that Constitution when it seized plaintiffs’ personal vehicles—which were vital to their transportation and livelihoods—with no timely process to contest the seizure.”
The 6th Circuit’s ruling mandates that Wayne County must conduct a court hearing for car owners post-seizure within a two-week timeframe.
Wayne County will probably spend two weeks looking for a loophole.
Legal Counsel and Your Rights
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An experienced attorney can provide guidance on how to navigate interactions with law enforcement while safeguarding your constitutional rights.
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