Womble, 46, had been cited in August 2007 for speeding, failure to have insurance and a proper license tag, and having an out-of-date inspection sticker, all low-level offenses. An officer drove her home. Within days, Womble began trying to retrieve her car. She visited the police station and made phone calls, but says she was told only "it was in impound," according to a signed statement she gave authorities here last month.

Her citations were all dismissed in district court early the next year, ....