If a person’s vehicle is impounded under a 30-day hold, they must wait until the 30-day period is over prior to requesting a release. After the 30-day period has passed, the registered owner must go to the Area auto detectives to obtain a release for the vehicle (releases are only given to the registered owner/s). If the registered owner does not have a valid California driver’s license, he/she must bring along a person who possesses a valid California driver’s license.
However, vehicles may be released by an Area Auto Detective Unit supervisor, prior the termination of the 30-Day Hold period, under any one of the following circumstances:
If your vehicle has been impounded, and you feel the fees are incorrect, or their is not sufficient cause for your vehicle to be impounded you may request an impound hearing.
Impound hearings are conducted in the geographical area where the vehicle was impounded from. In order to schedule an impound hearing you must contact the geographical area auto detectives and schedule an appointment. Auto detectives are in the office during regular business hours 7:00 am – 4:00 pm hours Monday through Friday.
Central Bureau
Central Area – 213-972-1203
Rampart Area – 213-484-3450
Hollenbeck Area – 323-342-8900
Northeast Area – 323-344-5731
Newton Area – 323-846-5363
South Bureau
Southwest Area – 213-485-6570
Harbor Area – 310-726-7900
77th St. Area – 213-485-4175
Southeast Area – 213-972-7813
Valley Bureau
Van Nuys Area – 818-374-0040
West Valley Area – 818-374-7730
North Hollywood Area – 818-623-4045
Foothill Area – 818-834-3115
Devonshire Area – 818-832-0609
Topanga Area – 818-756-4820
West Bureau
Hollywood Area – 213-972-2967
Wilshire Area – 213-922-8205
West Los Angeles Area – 310-444-1502
Pacific Area – 310-482-6313
Olympic Area – 310-482-6313
Vehicle Impound Hearing Rights
As a vehicle owner or other person entitled to possession of an impounded vehicle, you have the right to a hearing if you believe your vehicle should not have been impounded. You may request this hearing either before or after you pay the impound and storage charges to the Official Police Garage which has custody of your vehicle. The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether there was PROBABLE CAUSE to impound the vehicle, that is, was the impounding officer authorized to legally remove your vehicle.
The hearing will consist of a meeting with the Impound Hearing Officer of the station which impounded your vehicle. You may present any witnesses or other evidence you believe will show that your vehicle should not have been impounded. You must establish that you are the owner of the vehicle or that you have some other right to possession of it.
If the hearing officer determines that there was NO probable cause and your vehicle should not have been impounded, it will be released to you without charge, or you will be repaid after processing by mail for the charges you paid to the Official Police Garage. If the hearing officer determines that the vehicle was properly impounded, you must pay the impound and storage charges or the Official Police Garage acquires a lien against your vehicle.
NOTE:
This hearing does not affect any related traffic citation or other criminal proceedings. If you wish to challenge the charges underlying any such citation or criminal proceeding, you must do so in the appropriate court.
To request a hearing, you must telephone, write or appear in person at the police station which impounded your vehicle within (10) days of the date appearing on the written notice. Failure to do so will end your right to a hearing. Refer to the DR Number when requesting a hearing.
If a person’s vehicle is impounded as a vehicle forfeiture, and the vehicle is owned by more than one person, the other owner (owner from whom the vehicle was not taken) should refer to the information contained in the Notice of Forfeiture Letter that they will receive by certified mail, to obtain a release.
How do I comment on the level service received by an Official Police Garage?
Commission Investigative Division – OPG Complaints
Commission Investigation Division (CID) is the regulatory arm of the Police Commission with respect to the processing, issuance, investigation, enforcement and discipline of Police Commission permits. The Board issues 51 different permits for businesses requiring regulation, such as massage therapists, tow unit operators, hostess dance halls, pool rooms, etc. CID is comprised of 5 sections consisting of the Permit Processing Section, Enforcement Section, Alarms Section, Charitable Services Section, and Records Section.
Questions or complaints concerning an OPG location may be directed to Commission Investigation Division at 100 West First Street 1st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012 between hours the 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. It is requested that a comprehensive account of the problem include dates, times and copies of all pertinent paperwork be made available to the investigating officer. If you would like to contact via telephone call 323-680-4869 during business hours.