>Depending on the city/town cars can get 'the boot' locked on to the wheel immobilizing the vehicle. Theoretically the owner has to pay up or the City may (again depending on city or town) take posession of the vehicle.

Which is more in line with the adjusting the judgement to the crime -
which is not PC over here, but my thinking.
>

>Of course the court system can foul that idea up completely and let the person owing the $$ sue (and win) for some BS reason.

That would be stupid, so it is probably getting more leverage over time.
But in the article it was stated that the person had already paid up -
for such cases the city/state should pay up as to not get into the habit of stepping on more toes.
Even if the person is not a sweet smelling rose IMHO.

Sometimes I dream gov officials were liable for wasting tax payer money -
but all to often they have created laws just to protect themselves.