Title 44, Chapter 12, Section 131
( 44-12-131)
(a)(1) All pawn transactions shall be for 30 day periods but may
be extended or continued for additional 30 day periods. (2) A pawnbroker shall not lease back to the seller or pledgor any
motor vehicle during a pawn transaction or during any extension or
continuation of the pawn transaction. (3) Unless otherwise agreed, a pawnbroker has upon default the
right to take possession of the motor vehicle. In taking
possession, the pawnbroker or his agent may proceed without
judicial process if this can be done without breach of the peace
or may proceed by action. (4)(A) During the first 90 days of any pawn transaction or
extension or continuation of the pawn transaction, a pawnbroker
may charge for each 30 day period interest and pawnshop charges
which together equal no more than 25 percent of the principal
amount advanced, with a minimum charge of up to $10.00 per 30
day period. (B) On any pawn transaction which is continued or extended
beyond 90 days, a pawnbroker may charge for each 30 day period
interest and pawnshop charges which together equal no more than
12.5 percent of the principal amount advanced, with a minimum
charge of up to $5.00 per 30 day period. (C) In addition to the charges provided for in subparagraphs (A)
and (B) of this paragraph, in a pawn transaction or in any
extension or continuation of a pawn transaction involving a
motor vehicle or a motor vehicle certificate of title, a
pawnbroker may charge the following: (i) A fee equal to no more than any fee imposed by the
appropriate state to register a lien upon a motor vehicle
title, but only if the pawnbroker actually registers such a
lien; (ii) No more than $5.00 per day in storage fees, but only if
an actual repossession pursuant to a default takes place on a
vehicle which was not already in the pawnbroker's possession
and only for each day the pawnbroker must actually retain
possession of the motor vehicle; and (iii) A repossession fee of $50.00 within 50 miles of the
office where the pawn originated, $100.00 within 51 to 100
miles, $150.00 within 101 to 300 miles and a fee of $250.00
beyond 300 miles, but only if an actual repossession pursuant
to a default takes place on a vehicle which was not already in
the pawnbroker's possession. (D) If a pledgor or seller requests that the pawnbroker mail or
ship the pledged item to the pledgor or seller, a pawnbroker may
charge a fee for the actual shipping and mailing costs, plus a
handling fee equal to not more than 50 percent of the actual
shipping and mailing costs. (E) In the event the pledgor or seller has lost or destroyed the
original pawn ticket, a pawnbroker may, at the time of
redemption, charge a fee equal to not more than $2.00. (5) No other charge or fee of any kind by whatever name
denominated, including but not limited to any other storage fee
for a motor vehicle, shall be made by a pawnbroker except as set
out in paragraph (4) of this subsection. (6) No fee or charge provided for in this Code section may be imposed unless a disclosure regarding that fee or charge has been properly made as provided for in Code Section 44-12-138. (7)(A) Any interest, fees, or charges collected which are
undisclosed, improperly disclosed, or in excess of that allowed
by this subsection may be recovered by the pledgor or seller in
an action at law in any superior court of appropriate
jurisdiction. (B) In any such action in which the pledgor or seller prevails,
the court shall also award reasonable attorneys' fees, court
costs, and any expenses of litigation to the pledgor or seller. (C) Before filing an action under this Code section, the pledgor
or seller shall provide the pawnbroker with a written notice by
certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt
requested, that such an action is contemplated, identifying any
fees or charges which the pledgor or seller contends are
undisclosed, improperly disclosed, or in excess of the fees and
charges allowed by this Code section. If the court finds that
during the 30 days following receipt of this notice the
pawnbroker made a good faith offer to return any excess,
undisclosed, or improperly disclosed charges, the court shall
award reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs, and expenses of
litigation to the pawnbroker. (D) No action shall be brought under this Code section more than
two years after the pledgor or seller knew or should have known
of the excess, undisclosed, or improperly disclosed charges. (b) Any interest, charge, or fees contracted for or received,
directly or indirectly, in excess of the amounts permitted under
subsection (a) of this Code section shall be uncollectable and the
pawn transaction shall be void. All interest and the pawnshop
charge allowed under subsection (a) of this Code section shall be
deemed earned, due, and owing as of the date of the pawn transaction
and a like sum shall be deemed earned, due, and owing on the same
day of the succeeding month. |