# Anyone know the penalty in CA for breaking a car boot?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-penalty-in-ca-for-breaking-a-car-boot/495513>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 6, 2009, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-penalty-in-ca-for-breaking-a-car-boot/495513 "2009-05-06T03:54:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-penalty-in-ca-for-breaking-a-car-boot/495513/1 "2009-05-06T03:54:25Z")

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I think a friend of mine “released” his car from the boot that got put on it for old tickets. I can’t seem to google an answer about what kind of trouble he might be in.

Anyone know what to search on or what the rules are?

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**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-penalty-in-ca-for-breaking-a-car-boot/495513/2 "2009-05-06T04:31:57Z")

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> [@Stoid](#):
>
> I can’t seem to google an answer about what kind of trouble he might be in.

I googled “big” and got lots of hits. Ditto with “bad”.

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**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-penalty-in-ca-for-breaking-a-car-boot/495513/3 "2009-05-06T04:36:02Z")

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> [@Stoid](#):
>
> I think a friend of mine “released” his car from the boot that got put on it for old tickets. I can’t seem to google an answer about what kind of trouble he might be in.
> 
> Anyone know what to search on or what the rules are?

Probably the next time the cops find his car it will get impounded. And to get it out he will have to pay all fines, penilities, tow fees, storage, and admin fees.

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**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-penalty-in-ca-for-breaking-a-car-boot/495513/4 "2009-05-06T04:39:27Z")

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Okay, I did some further googling. The only useful link said that removing a boot could lead to an arrest for theft.

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**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-penalty-in-ca-for-breaking-a-car-boot/495513/5 "2009-05-06T04:43:33Z")

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> [@Xema](#):
>
> I googled “big” and got lots of hits. Ditto with “bad”.

You forgot expensive. Lots of hits for that also.

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**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-penalty-in-ca-for-breaking-a-car-boot/495513/6 "2009-05-06T08:26:21Z")

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What did he do with the boot? Also there may be a warrant out for his arrest for not paying the tickets. Depends on the jurisdiction.

Notice I am refraining from the obvious “Get a lawyer!” jokes. It’s hard but I’m trying to get better.