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Tow hearings in Dallas and Tarrant counties
Texas lets you ask a justice court whether there was probable cause for a nonconsent tow or boot. Here is how that works in the two biggest DFW counties.
General information, not legal advice. The papers you got from the police, the tow company, the storage lot or a state agency control your dates. Agencies change phone numbers and steps, so check the agency's own page too.
Where and when
The request goes to a justice court in the county the car was towed from (for a boot, the county where the lot is). It must be delivered before the 14th day after the tow or boot, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays; the clock does not start until the tow company or lot gives you the information needed to fill it in.
- Dallas County: ten justice courts; fee $54.
- Tarrant County: eight precincts; fee $54; a 'Towing-Booted Vehicles Hearing Request' form is on the county's forms page.
Sources: Occ. Code §§ 2308.453, 2308.456; Dallas County Justice of the Peace Courts; Tarrant County JP 5: Towed/Booted Vehicle
What the court decides
The court decides whether there was probable cause for the tow or boot and whether the charges were over the city or state limits. If it finds there was probable cause, the person who asked for the hearing pays the removal and storage costs; if not, whoever authorized the tow (the tow company, storage lot, property owner or police agency) pays or reimburses them. Either way, a towing charge above the city or state limit must be refunded.
Sources: Occ. Code §§ 2308.451, 2308.458
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