We Don't Care. We Don't Have to.
Josh Goetz bought a 2006 Trailblazer from a used car dealer back in March. Two months later, New York state police seized it as part of a murder investigation and tore it apart. Goetz says he'd like either a replacement vehicle or for the state to reimburse him the $8,000 he paid for the Trailblazer. But the cops refused to talk to media about compensation for Goetz, and he says that when he asked them to reimburse him, they said he'd have to hire a lawyer.
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This seems like a taking for public use, although I can't imagine this being the one part of the 5th law enforcement would honor.
Most of the stories about wrong address search warrants seem to include addenda about doors not being replaced, etc. It seems that as long as they acted in good faith, the government has no obligation to repair your damaged property.
I'd say he's lucky he didn't get charged an impound fee plus $200 per day storage on the vehicle.
He says he can't afford a lawyer for this, which is probably true (the legal help costing more than the vehicle), so I think he should proceed pro se. He should at least look up the legal form for making a claim; Tannen's probably sells them, but I'm sure Legal Zoom, etc. would have PDF of them too.
Also he should go to the court house, where the clerks are supposed to help you proceed.
OH.....that's REALLY funny! Wait....you were serious?