A man is drawing attention online after revealing what actually happens if you are arrested and your car is towed by authorities.
Ryan posted a video on TikTok to discuss the topic. Right at the start, he addressed the first mistake people make when their cars are towed by the police immediately after being stopped.
“They think the police automatically have the right to search [the vehicle]. But they actually don’t,” he explained in the clip, adding that what the police can do is conduct an “inventory search,” which is supposedly “very limited.”
“This isn’t an exploratory investigation to press new charges. The goal is to record valuable items in your vehicle and protect the department from claims that something was stolen or damaged,” he stated.
However, according to Ryan, “officers often use this inventory search as a pretext to investigate further. If they find anything illegal, they will claim it was in plain view.”
Overall, he advised that the main tool you can rely on at this moment is your lawyer, so be prepared to contact them.
In the comments, viewers shared their opinions on the topic. One of the most mentioned issues was the cost charged by authorities after the vehicle remained in the impound lot for several days.
“In Hernando County, Florida, they used the towing company Pink Dinosaur to take my car. It stayed there for two days, and they charged me almost $600,” one TikTok user commented.
To retrieve your car, you will need the release documentation from your arrest, a valid ID, proof of ownership, and money to pay storage and towing fees.
For this reason, Ryan advised acting quickly. “Waiting even a week can mean hundreds or thousands of dollars,” he said in the video.
“If the police claim they need to keep the [car] as evidence, contact your lawyer immediately. They will need to file a petition for the release of the property as soon as the case allows.”
“If you are arrested and your car is towed, don’t wait. Act fast, gather the necessary documents, and protect your rights before this ‘inventory search’ turns into a new charge,” Ryan concluded.
Photo and video: TikTok @rebuild.with.ryan. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
@rebuild.with.ryan What really happens to your car after an arrest 🚔 #LegalTips #KnowYourRights #FourthAmendment #Impound #PoliceSearch ♬ original sound – Rebuild With Ryan
