Opinion ID: 2576464
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: All Around Underground, Inc. v. State

Text: In October 2000 a Washington State Patrol trooper stopped a van owned by All Around Underground, Inc. (All Around), because it did not have an observable rear cross view device or posted gross vehicle weight signs. The trooper learned the driver's driving privileges were suspended and cited him accordingly. The owner of All Around was also present at the scene, but was informed by the trooper that because the driver did not have a valid license the van had to be impounded pursuant to a State Patrol regulation even though the owner could have safely taken possession of the vehicle. See WAC 204-96-010 (mandating the impoundment of every vehicle driven without a valid license). The owner offered to remove the van in lieu of impoundment, but WAC 204-96-010 left the trooper without choice in the matterthe regulation man dated the van be impounded. Accordingly, the van was impounded for 30 days pursuant to RCW 46.55.120(1)(a). Three days later All Around secured early release of the van by paying $476.48 in impound and storage fees. All Around then demanded a vehicle impoundment hearing before the King County District Court, Aukeen Division. [1] All Around argued the impoundment was an unconstitutional seizure in violation of article I, section 7, of the Washington Constitution and the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The district court held the van was properly impounded and saw no constitutional defect in the State Patrol's regulation. [2] All Around appealed to the King County Superior Court which affirmed. [3] All Around then sought and obtained discretionary review by this court and American L.S. Maintenance v. Washington State Patrol, Cause No. 26680-6-II, then pending before the Court of Appeals, was consolidated in the same appeal. All Around asks us to address whether the State Patrol's blanket rule in WAC 204-96-010 comports with the constitutional requirement that all vehicle impoundments be reasonable, [4] and also requests compensation for the impound and storage fees as well as reasonable attorney fees.