Opinion ID: 2576464
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: American L.S. Maintenance, Inc. v. Washington State Patrol

Text: In January 2000 the State Patrol stopped a dump truck owned by American L.S. Maintenance, Inc. for a commercial vehicle inspection. The inspection stop included a check of the driver's qualifications and vehicle licensing. The commercial vehicle inspection enforcement officer discovered the driver was driving on a suspended license and called for the assistance of a Washington State Patrol trooper. The trooper cited the driver for driving with a suspended license and took him into custody based on an unrelated outstanding warrant. During the stop the owner of American L.S. arrived at the scene. Notwithstanding, as in the case of All Around, the trooper impounded the dump truck for 30 days pursuant to RCW 46.55.120(1)(a). Again, WAC 204-96-010 left the trooper without choice of releasing the vehicle to its owner. American L.S. requested a vehicle impoundment hearing before the Cowlitz County District Court. The district court declared the impoundment improper pursuant to chapter 46.55 RCW and awarded judgment against the State Patrol for $1,912.25 to compensate American L.S. for the cost of impoundment, storage fees, and court costs. The State Patrol appealed to the Superior Court of Cowlitz County, and American L.S. cross-appealed the allegedly inadequate damage award. The superior court affirmed as to whether the impoundment was improper, but remanded for further proceedings to calculate damages and to determine reasonable attorney fees, if appropriate. The Court of Appeals accepted discretionary review, which we then transferred to this court for consolidation with All Around. Much like All Around, the State Patrol asks us to determine whether impoundment of American L.S. Maintenance, Inc.'s dump truck was proper under article I, section 7. [5] American L.S. seeks attorney fees, albeit on different grounds from those claimed by All Around.