Minnesota Lawyer Blog

A series of unfortunate events led me to the office of a private towing company in Minneapolis last month, where I helped someone reclaim her vehicle. That got me thinking: not only can towing companies take your private property and sell it back to you, but they set the selling price, too.

Want your car back? Let’s see... Hmmm... How about $281. $281! At least the city's impound lot is governed, to some degree, by the political process. And there's a measure of public good involved, too.

But who sets the price for stealing someone's car, and how come property rights never enter the equation? Extortion must be nice work if you can get it.

And then I read this sign posted outside the towing company's office window:

Ahh... I completely understand now. Gosh, if only all matters of law could be so eloquently resolved.

(Yes, I'm still angry)