Forfeiture of a Corvette

Where are the modern day Robin Hoods 

More and more our government acts like the king our forebears rebelled against many generations ago. The government subjugates ordinary citizens while leaving the powerful unscrupulous people alone. Here in Illinois the government confiscated a black 2005 Corvette because the owner was driving the car without a breath-alcohol ignition-interlock device. A few months before he had 2 weeks to obtain one but failed to do so.  Besides bringing criminal charges against him for driving without a license, the government decided to take his car away from him too.

And the state got away with it.  This example I found in a recent case from the Illinois Appellate Court.  The police had seized and then confiscated a black 2005 Corvette because the owner was driving the car without a breath-alcohol ignition-interlock device. A few months before the seizure the driver had 2 weeks to obtain one but failed to do so.  The appellate court confirmed that this seizure was proper.  The driver lost his $35,000.00 car and got nothing but legal bills in return and a criminal conviction.

This incident began when a police officer ran the plates and learned that the owner’s driving privileges were suspended or revoked.  The officer then conducted a traffic stop at a gas station where the officer learned these facts. Not only was he found guilty of driving on a suspended license, the government also seized his $35,000.00 corvette. The justification for this harsh confiscation was that the owner allowed his car to be used in a crime: this crime was driving it with a revoked or suspended drivers’ license. I assume this car was paid for as the state doesn’t want to upset lenders as lenders will not get paid by the borrower if the car is taken.  The case is People vs 2005 Black Chevrolet Corvette.

This decision is wrong. This is a violation of the Fourth Amendment–unreasonable seizures.   It is a windfall for the government for a minor violation. The government is screwing with ordinary citizens who have little political influence;  it does nothing to the powerful and let them keep their ill-gotten wealth.

Keil