Bill keeps illegals, teens from impound
Torrico says legislation is aimed at helping parents of 'joyriders'
Harrison Sheppard
SACRAMENTO BUREAU  
09/22/2005
www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_3051756
SACRAMENTO — A bill by a Newark assemblyman now sitting on the governor's desk could exempt illegal immigrants and unlicensed teenagers from vehicle-impound laws that currently apply to other drivers who are arrested for driving with suspended and revoked licenses.
The bill requires police to return vehicles to their registered owners if those owners present a valid registration and driver's license. Under the bill, if police stop a joyriding teenager or an illegal immigrant who is borrowing a friend's car, they cannot impound the vehicle if the owner shows up with a valid license, as they can under current law.

The bill's author, Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Newark, said the bill was aimed more at families where an unlicensed teen might "borrow" the family car and then get stopped by police, causing the vehicle to be impounded for 30 days, and making it difficult for low-income parents to get to work.

"The bill is intended to address situations where basically the licensed owner is unfairly punished because of the actions of someone else, perhaps a minor child in the family, someone who steals a car or takes it for a joy ride," said Sam Delson, a Torrico aide.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
has not yet taken a position on the bill.
But opponents said owners of vehicles, whether parents or friends of illegal immigrants, should be held responsible for how the vehicle is used.

Under current law, police can seize and impound a vehicle for 30 days if the driver does not have a license or has a suspended or revoked license.

Current law also allows illegal immigrants to own, register and insure vehicles, but does not allow them to have valid California driver's licenses, according to state officials.
(according to Real ID act, they WILL be given drivers licenses)

A bill sent this month to the governor, SB60, by Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain licenses, but Schwarzenegger is expected to veto it.

A number of law enforcement agencies have written to ask Schwarzenegger to veto the Torrico bill.

<shakes head>   JERSEY    <shakes head>  

that's discrimination!

I was trying to figure that out, they are talking about Newark CA

"Newark is located in Silicon Valley on the east side of San Francisco Bay"

Quoted: that's discrimination!

MORE immunity from United States Law for people that are in the US ILLEGALLY

and, I am guessing the unlicensed "kids" that they are talking about are "gangstas"

If A teen child steals the family car and the r/o does not want it impounded all they have to do is report it stolen. If its not stolen, its getting impounded.