TIFU by buying a new truck

This happened to me about 2 weeks ago. So I run a business and have 2 partners, together over the last 5 years we have bought at least 15 trucks. All from the same dealership. Now something to note is that every time we buy a new truck we always just write a check and don't deal at all with getting loans, it just works easier and saves us time that way. About a month ago I had decided I wanted a new truck because my current one had a couple of issues and a lot of miles. I found the exact model that I wanted and sent it over to the salesman I always go through at the dealership. He found the exact color and model that I wanted and told me that he could have it to me in 2 weeks. That is typically how it goes between us so I said thanks and just started looking forward to the day I could pick it up.

The day he told me it was ready was a Thursday at about 10am but, I needed to be out of town that Friday evening and through the weekend so I asked to have it delivered that same day. He told me that he could get me the truck today but they couldn't prepare the paperwork and accept payment until Saturday.

Now this is where I totally screwed up, I reminded him of how many vehicles I have bought from him and that we always write a check. I told him I need the truck today or at least by Friday at 10am. He said, "I'll see what I can do." and ended up delivering the truck 2 hours later saying, "just give me your trade vehicle and take this new one, we will get it all sorted Monday, have a good weekend."

I was stoked! They basically fronted me the truck and asked for payment on Monday. Almost like a test drive but without anyone with me. I asked where the temporary registration tag was that normally comes on new vehicles after purchase and he told me, "dude you haven't even bought it yet, we don't have any paperwork done for it, its still registered to us, you're good to just throw your old plates on it. Just have anyone call me that needs proof of lawful possession." I hadn't ever been in this exact scenario before so I just said, "okay, not like anyone is really going to look into it anyway." and that was that. I had just successfully received my new truck.

The next day, Friday, I was driving through town like any other day running errands. I had a cop pull up behind me at a red light and thought nothing of it. As the light turned green, he turned on his lights and pulled me over. It didn't even register to me that anything was out of the ordinary, but when I pulled over the cop yelled over his loudspeaker, "Shut off the vehicle! Put your hands where I can see them!"

I was so panicked that I just did what he said still wondering what was going on and then it hit me, my plates are registered to another truck and I don't have any registration. HE THINKS IM IN A STOLEN VEHICLE. I decided at a split second that there was probably too many weird things for me to be able to just explain to the officer what the actual situation was and I just decided to remain silent. He pulled me out, checked my ID, handcuffed me and then actually was kinda chill (or at least pretended to be) and asked me what the deal was and why this truck was registered to someone who was not me (my business partner) and why it was not even registered to this truck. I told him I would remain silent and he arrested me for GRAND THEFT AUTO. a felony!

I was actually shaking and pretty damn scared even though I knew I didn't steal anything. He took me to jail and luckily I live in a fairly small town so there were only 3 other people in the holding cell with me and we were told we would get to see the judge that same day. I was allowed to make 2 phone calls, the first I made to my buddy (and next door neighbor lol) the ex-prosecuting attorney for the city. I'm so thankful that I know that guy and that he is awesome. I asked him to please come to the jail and if he would represent me and told him that I was arrested. I told him I would explain it all and it should hopefully go easy for him. I said, "If you save me right now I will pay whatever fee you want." he just said back, "For sure, I'm actually in a city building right now, I will just walk over and lets talk." super casually. The next call went straight to my business partner. When he picked up I shakily said, "get the dealership salesman on the phone right now! I need an email saying that I lawfully posses the new truck I just got, I got arrested for grand theft cause I didn't have a temporary tag." practically yelling. He said he would have it to me shortly and that he would be there in 10 minutes. I then had to go back to the holding cell to wait to be called back out.

I had to wait for an excruciating hour to be called back out to meet with my attorney, I Basically word vomited for like 5 minutes as soon as I explained the whole thing to him, he sat back and thought for a second. Then he said, "Okay, hang tight. As soon as they call you into the courtroom here in a few minutes I will have an opportunity to speak with the prosecuting attorney to discuss your charges and then they will set your bail. When I talk to the prosecutor I will pull some strings and see if we can't get this resolved." I was panicked, I basically thought that I was going to get my bail set for a huge amount and then I would be in there until who knows when for my trial.

The 4 of us in the cell got brought into the courtroom and my name was called first, I sat down with my buddy and the prosecutor and we went through it all, I didn't say a word except to get my partners email showing that the dealer said it was my truck. After a little bit of talking the prosecutor looked at me and said, "Really seems like an unfortunate situation, You're lucky that you know Shane. He's a great man and I respect him deeply. This probably should have just been a ticket, but here's what I'm willing to do for you. I will turn this into a non-moving correctable violation and in 30 days you will have to meet me here again and show your registration, then the whole thing will go away." The felony was dropped. I was so relieved I almost cried. Idk if my buddy pulled some special strings or if this was how this was supposed to work because none of the other guys had attorneys with them, but I don't care, I'm just glad that I didn't have to stay in jail! Afterward, I had to pick up my truck from the impound lot and Shane tried to not let me pay him, instead we compromised that I would take him and his wife to the best restaurant in town. I feel like I owe that guy steak dinners for a long time lol. I also realized that I do NOT want to go back to jail. It was only like 6 hours, I'm soft lol.

TL;DR: I bought a new truck and ended up going to jail for half a day.