State of Cal. v. Super. Ct.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

According to the CHP’s Vehicle Procedures Manual, a CHP officer “may direct a vehicle to be removed, impounded, or seized.” A CHP 180 form must “be completed for every vehicle which is stored or impounded.” The officer must sign the completed CHP 180 form prior to releasing the vehicle to the tow operator and require the tow operator to sign the CHP 180 form. Additionally, the officer must provide the yellow copy of the signed CHP 180 form to the tow operator and the original is

1All further statutory references are to the Government Code, unless otherwise stated.

2 retained at the local CHP office. The copy given to the tow operator includes, but is not limited to the following information: vehicle identification number; driver license number(s); registered owner(s) and legal owner(s) and their address(es); the statutory towing authority; a checklist pertaining to the vehicle’s condition; a short narrative indicating the reason for the tow along with other pertinent information; a list of items inventoried inside the vehicle if applicable; and notes pertaining to the release conditions of the vehicle if applicable. After removal and storage of a vehicle, the…