Judge Stops NYC Seizure of 1000's Of Cars

http://ift.tt/2zzYKtB

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Under the city’s administrative code, a car can be forfeited if the owner has previously violated the city’s for-hire vehicle code at least twice in the past 36 months.

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In September 2015, Judge Valerie Caproni ruled in favor of the owners, who included not just unlicensed cab drivers, but also ordinary New Yorkers who faced baseless charges. One of the plaintiffs, Pedro Camacho, had his car seized after TLC inspectors believed he had dropped off an Asian woman at JFK airport who had paid for a ride. In reality, Camacho had dropped off his (Hispanic) niece, who wasn’t even questioned by inspectors. Fortunately for him, the commission ultimately dropped charges and returned his seized car.

I wonder why it isn't an option to hold those who abuse the system by recklessly seizing cars accountable?

I'm not sure who the commissioners are and how they're held accountable for their actions, but it seems that they're a law unto themselves. http://ift.tt/2zzYL0D

Others accuse the TLC of racial profiling; http://ift.tt/2zzYLxF

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Between July 1, 2013 and June 13, 2014, TLC's ....The inspectors seized 8,798 vehicles during that time. Drivers can’t retrieve their impounded cars unless they plead guilty and pay a fine or wait until their assigned hearing date to make their case before a city administrative judge.....Kalyoncu said the inspectors seized his car at the airport and he was given a May 13 hearing date. But the postal worker needed his minivan for work and couldn’t wait two weeks to defend himself before a judge. Instead he decided to plead guilty the same day his van was seized. He paid a $600 fine, plus another $381 to the impound lot.

Ranb

via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/2y1KlKx