Indiana § 9-17-4-19 - Operation of motor vehicle with concealed, removed, defaced, destroyed, or obliterated special identification number; confiscation and return of motor vehicle upon proof of owner's title

§ 9-17-4-19. Operation of motor vehicle with concealed, removed, defaced, destroyed, or obliterated special identification number; confiscation and return of motor vehicle upon proof of owner's title

Sec. 19. (a) A person that:

(1) either:

(A) with the intent to conceal evidence of the commission of a crime, operates a vehicle with an identification number that is concealed; or

(B) operates a vehicle with an identification number that is removed, defaced, destroyed, or obliterated; and

(2) has not applied under section 7 of this chapter for a new special identification number;

commits a Class C infraction.

(b) If a person that violates subsection (a) cannot prove to the satisfaction of the court that the person owns the vehicle, the court shall confiscate and sell the vehicle. The proceeds from the sale shall be used to pay the fine and costs of prosecution, and the balance, if any, shall be deposited in the motor vehicle highway account.

(c) If the fine and costs are not paid not later than thirty (30) days after judgment is rendered under this section, the court shall proceed to advertise and sell the vehicle in the manner provided by law for the sale of personal property under execution.

(d) If at any time at which the vehicle remains in the custody of the court or the court's officers under this section, the owner appears and establishes the owner's title to the vehicle to the satisfaction of the court, the vehicle shall be returned to the owner. The owner shall then make application for and may obtain an identification number and a title as provided in this chapter. The owner may then use the vehicle upon proper registration.

As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.42. Amended by P.L.198-2016, SEC.238.

IC 9-17-5Chapter 5. Liens

9-17-5-1Satisfaction or discharge of lien; delivery of certificate of title; violation 9-17-5-2Lienholder; repossession of vehicle; application for certificate of title; procedure 9-17-5-3Repealed 9-17-5-4Security interest not created by rental agreement 9-17-5-5Security agreements; notation of lien on certificate of title 9-17-5-6Statewide electronic lien and title system; purposes; development of system; bureau to work with qualified vendors or qualified service providers; requirements; dates for voluntary and mandatory use