[HISTORY: Adopted as indicated in text (Ch. 156 of the 1990
Code of Public Local Laws). Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1966, ch. 703, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 13-1(a); 1988,
ch. 227, § 2]
It is unlawful in Cecil County, as provided in this chapter,
to cause or permit an unlicensed junk motor vehicle or parts thereof
to be left on private or public property, in open view of persons
on a nearby highway. Failure to remove such a vehicle or parts thereof
within 10 days after a written notice of removal sent to the owner
of record by any authorized police officer is a misdemeanor, punishable
upon conviction by a fine of $25 for each day after the 10 days during
which the motor vehicle is not moved from the property.
[1966, ch. 703, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 13-1(b); 1988,
ch. 227, § 2]
In addition to the criminal penalty provided by this chapter,
the motor vehicle may be impounded by the County and sold under the
provisions of this chapter.
[1966, ch. 703, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 13-1(c); 1988,
ch. 227, § 2]
If any motor vehicle or part thereof is in the custody of Cecil
County under the workings of this chapter, and if the owner or person
entitled to the possession thereof cannot be located or fails to claim
the motor vehicle or part thereof for a period of 60 days after it
came into the custody of the County, the motor vehicle or part thereof
may be disposed of by the County at public sale. Due advertisement
of the time, place and terms of the sale, together with a full detailed
description of the motor vehicle or part thereof, shall be inserted
in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the County at
least once each week for two successive weeks prior to the sale. In
addition, a notice by registered mail shall be sent at least 10 days
prior to the sale to the owner and lien holder, if any, shown on the
records of the Motor Vehicle Administrator, or the person entitled
to the possession of the motor vehicle or part thereof if his address
is known or if it can be ascertained by the exercise of reasonable
diligence. If such address cannot be ascertained, this notice is not
required.
[1966, ch. 703, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 13-1(d); 1988,
ch. 227, § 2]
The certificate of the County that it has sold such a motor
vehicle at public auction to a purchaser shall constitute sufficient
evidence of title to any motor vehicle so sold in order to enable
the purchaser to obtain a certificate of title and registration from
the Motor Vehicle Administration.
[1966, ch. 703, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 13-1(e); 1988,
ch. 227, § 2]
After payment of the expenses of any sale held pursuant to this
chapter and the storage and repair charges incurred by the County
on account of the motor vehicle or part thereof, and after payment
of all liens filed against the motor vehicle or part thereof, the
balance of the monies, if any, received by the County at the sale
shall be held by the County for a period of one year from the date
of sale. The County shall pay this balance to any person who files
a verified claim prior to the expiration of this one-year period,
establishing that he is the owner or person entitled to the possession
of the motor vehicle or part thereof. If no such claim is filed within
the one-year period, the remaining balance for the sale of the motor
vehicle or part thereof shall be transferred to the general funds
of the County.
[1966, ch. 703, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 13-1(f); 1988,
ch. 227, § 2]
This chapter does not apply or refer to vehicles in a regularly
operated gasoline service station, garage, or motor vehicle junkyard
or "graveyard."
