TR> The bottom line is that you would be in jail for disobeying a lawful
 TR> order, and the police officer would commandeer your vehicle anyway.
 TR> If there was any harm done to your vehicle, it would be repaired
 TR> by the City or entity that commandeered it. Your theft charges
 TR> would be filed in the closest garbage can.
 DB> Not in Federal Court... you know them; the guys you don't want
 DB> messing around in your "righteous" business?
I don't follow you on this one. Are you saying that you wouldn't go to jail,
that your vehicle wouldn't be fixed, or the vehicle theft charges wouldn't be
dropped?
In just about all jurisdictions, there is a procedure known as a friendly law
suit. Let's say I did $900 worth of damages to your car after commandeering
it. I would tell you to see the City Attorney and file a friendly law suit.
That's one where the government entity admits it is wrong up front, but they
must have a court to verify it before the expenditure of taxpayers money. It
is usually just a quick paperwork drill, and you have your money with no
expenses. Nobody shows up in court, the city sends a brief of the
circumstances and admits they are wrong.
I'm not aware of any differences in the Federal folks paying for damages
done. As far as I know, the process is just as easy, and with no expense.
There are certainly cases where damages would not be paid for. Let's say you
robbed a bank and the police were in foot pursuit. You run through your front
door and lock it. The police kick the door in, and that bill would not be
paid.
I'm also not aware of any legitimate motor vehicle theft charge you could
file unless the reason for commandeering the vehicle was without merit. The
police could not commandeer your vehicle for going to get coffee.  If
there were reasonable grounds for the commandeering,  A motor vehicle theft
charge would not be an option.
Tom Rightmer - A Victims' Rights Advocate
... Never trust a skinny cook.
--- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
---------------