Who can request a hearing when a vehicle is impounded?

The owner or agent of the vehicle has the right to request a hearing when a vehicle is impounded because they possess a direct interest in the vehicle and its circumstances regarding the impoundment. This right is rooted in the principles of due process, giving property owners the ability to contest the legality of the impoundment and to challenge any associated fees or penalties.

In this context, only the owner or their designated agent can appropriately assert their claim over the vehicle and present any arguments or evidence in their favor during a hearing. This ensures that the rights of property owners are upheld and that they have an avenue for redress when they feel impoundment was unjustified.

The other options are not valid as they don't hold a direct legal interest in the vehicle. For example, only the police officer who impounded the vehicle does not have standing because they are not the owner or have authority from the owner. A citizen witnessing the impound lacks legal justification to intervene as it does not relate to their personal property rights. Similarly, the local traffic authority may have roles related to enforcement but not the right to contest the impoundment on behalf of another individual.