Headed to court again...for restoring classic trucks!

[PICKMUP]

You may have heard, I was charged by a state patrol officer for operating a wrecking yard without a license. I sold an extra used part/bumper from one of my restoration parts vehicles.
I have been restoring 67-72 GM trucks, as an at home hobby, for over 20 years. I have been in the 67-72 new truck parts licensed business for 13 years, but there was no way the officer would recognize the the difference between restoration activities and wrecking yard operations.
The first case was in a criminal court and dismissed for lack of evidence. The second set of charges with fines of $25,000, was issued administratively based on the same set of charges that were thrown out of District Court.
WSP with the Dept of Lic and Atty Gen told me to get a lawyer. They will accept $12,000 and an admission of guilt or they will press for the full $25K fines in Admin Court before a state paid judge.
It looks like we will be in court Monday! $12K is crazy and $25K is the real crime here. It is like legalized extortion! We have been trying to settle this for nine months. I have two lawyers: one for each court.
Oh, WSP officer says buying or selling at swap meets, CL, Ebay or any other means is also illegal. We need some laws changed to protect our hobby, but that will be a big battle and too late for me. I would sure prefer to be building trucks, rather than fighting governments.

[brothers69c-10]

The only thing i can say is that sucks!
I've been selling stuff on craigslist for several years and never had no problems.

What i don't understand is that you are a licensed dealer to sell aftermarket parts and there is no crime in selling used parts laying a round in your garage. If that is the case garage and yard sales should be illegal too. Sounds like somebody just got a wild hair up their ass and decided to pick on you which is in no way shape or form right.

[tnblazerk5]

Originally Posted by brothers69c-10

The only thing i can say is that sucks!
I've been selling stuff on craigslist for several years and never had no problems.

What i don't understand is that you are a licensed dealer to sell aftermarket parts and there is no crime in selling used parts laying a round in your garage. If that is the case garage and yard sales should be illegal too. Sounds like somebody just got a wild hair up their ass and decided to pick on you which is in no way shape or form right.

i agree

[allthrottle,nobottle]

Originally Posted by tnblazerk5

i agree

me too... thats total BS

[Jacfourteen]

That's crazy! I thought we had some crappy laws here in CA, but this wins hands down. Reminds me of when I got a bad $50 bill and went to buy lunch at taco bell, I willingly gave my name, phone #, and licence plate # (drive thru), because the local police were to busy to come talk to me then. I never heard back, thought they just wrote a report and forgot about it. 6 months later I was checking out my tweeker sister in law on the court records, looked up my name for the hell of it and found out there was a warrant for me! The ADA was pushing for me to plead guilty and take a fine and 12 months in jail, and I have no record of anything. My mom was pissed and called the DA and made a hell of a stink with him and he threw it out. Hope yours get thrown out too. Good luck.

[tommys69/454]

that is crappy, hope you make out well. i agree some one or neighbor has a bone to pick or a crooked hair up <3$$ let us know how it goes and I am rooting for you!!!!!!!!!

[harshard]

Too Political

[ETsC10]

Frank that sucks big time!

I mean---you're off in the boondocks, keep a low profile, have your
second hand dealer's license, have documentation for the rigs...
...what the H??!!! do they want??

If there's anything I can do...(and I'm sure many of our other local
board members feel the same way)...I will write letters, show my
support in court, whatever......just say the word!

For Gods sake---we're talking 40 year old parts here!

I rarely get too riled but this fries me..

[RED67]

maybe they need to find something else better to do..........I'd be ashamed if I was such a prick.....I mad for ya brutha.....Good luck

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by harshard

This whole country is going to hell in a hand basket, and I mean FAST. We are all loosing our rights as citizens everyday. Thank your liberals in office for that.

Still bitter? This has absolutely NOTHING to do with liberals. I'm not one, or the other, but jeez, this mentality has to change. This type of propoganda is what is sending the country to hell in a hand basket. ...

Either way, sucks about the fines

[lax54650]

there is a guy here in town that fought this same battle. he runs a body shop restores mustangs. had probably 100 cars on his in city property. he refused to put privacy slats in his hurricane fence. he lost his appeal to the state supreme court. they were alleging he was selling parts. i think he sold some parts but not many.
But he is not a stellar tax paying citizen. state irs has shut him down several times in last 20 yrs. he has done things to aggrivate city like not paying his taxes, not having a compliant paint booth, leaving un licenced vehicles parked on road for months, he leased a giant billboard slamming the city and its "corruptness" etc.
he is still in bussines has sold or moved most of his old iron. but has put the bill board on an old tool truck on his property.
i think you have a legitimate fight. if you do it respectfully.

[DT1]

Too Political.
you got that right!!

[Sinister]

Sorry to hear that. That sucks. Good luck with it.

[dhaymaker]

WSP Officer must be a F # $ % lover!!!

[N2TRUX]

Have you thought about contacting SEMA are similar organizations? It might be worth looking in to.

[sokyclassics]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Have you thought about contacting SEMA are similar organizations? It might be worth looking in to.

That's exactly what I was thinking. They have the SEMA Action Network (SAN) that can help with such things.


Here is their website: http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=60129

[1956cameo]

I have been debating over the last year or two whether or not there was a need for me to join SEMA. I think I will be joining soon if officials are treating fellow car enthusiasts this way; because if I join the fight against this kind of treatment I will be targeted next. I still can't believe the no swap meet, ebay, or craigslist thing!

[eightbanger]

Unbelievable! your getting on with your life enjoying your hobby like the rest of us and causing no trouble, but you get shat on.
I hope you come through this unscathed.

BEST OF LUCK MATE!

[speedfreak369]

just tring to lightin the mood. and i wish u the best of luck.

guess this is the way we are getting money for hati now. lol

[John Gilbert]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Have you thought about contacting SEMA are similar organizations? It might be worth looking in to.

Bingo! SEMA SAN (SEMA Action Network) www.semasan.com is good place to learn about what's going on with all of the new laws regarding our hobby, or lifestyle as I like to think of it. These things vary from state to state, but trust me during my years at CCT I spoke with a lot of folks in different states with some problems that would make one think Adolph Hitler was alive and well.

Beyond this wonderful new change the current administration is hellbent on shoving down all of our throats, scrappage laws, etc. I'm sure it's just all about the money... Pay 12-G's and it all goes away.

— That's my two cents

[nickp51chevy]

We need to start a petition to have at the Monroe swap meet. Isn't it like 10,000 signatures to get something in to legislation or started? I don't know, just guessing here.

Out of curiosity, what is the RCW they are charging you with? I want to look it up.

[big_al_71]

I have never heard such a thing. Good luck to you..Let us know how you make out...

[Castiron9]

Frank that's B.S......State is 2 Billion plus in the hole,they have to find revenue any where they can even if it means basically extorting money from law abiding citizens.I think we do need to start some sort of petition.Let me know too if you need any letters written or maybe we can flood some senators office with e-mails or letters,etc.Keep us posted.

[b1kem1ke]

That is a ridiculous law.

Good to know the WSP is still only for revenue.


CP

[Infanti]

Frank,sorry to hear you have to go thru something like this.What is the stipulations between a wrecking yard and what you are doing.How is it defined in the regulations?