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If you serve in the military: towed-car sales in San Antonio
San Antonio has a large military population, and the Justice Department has twice settled cases here over towed cars sold while their owners were serving.
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.
The federal rule
Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a lien on a servicemember's property cannot be enforced by sale or other disposal during military service, or within 90 days after it, without a court order. This applies to tow and storage liens.
Sources: Justice Department settlement agreement with VMS (2026)
The 2020 settlement with the City
The Justice Department said the City sold at least 227 servicemembers' vehicles between 2011 and 2019 without court orders. The City agreed to pay $47,000 to two servicemembers, set up a $150,000 fund and pay a $62,029 civil penalty.
Sources: Justice Department press release; KSAT report, Sept. 4, 2020
The 2026 settlement with a tow company
In May 2026 a San Antonio tow company agreed to pay $280,000 to resolve allegations about roughly 93 vehicles sold or scrapped without court orders between August 2020 and June 2025. The agreement requires it to check owners' military status, for example military papers or an address on a base, before a sale.
- The Justice Department says servicemembers who think their rights were violated can contact the nearest Armed Forces legal assistance office.
Sources: Settlement agreement (PDF); Press release, May 28, 2026
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