Tennessee Department of Revenue Operations Supervisor Denise Rottero
Told Judge Greer how Tennessee's auto registration process works.
The process begins with the "surrender" of the Manufacturer's Statement of
Origin (MSO) by the auto dealer to the Department of Revenue in exchange for
a Certificate of Title. Asked if a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin is proof
of ownership, legal title to the automobile, Ms. Rottero said, "Yes"
"Are you telling me that ownership of an automobile must be surrendered to the
State before it can be registered?" she was asked.
"Surrender title, yes'" Rottero said.
The certificate of title to your automobile is Not title, it's merely evidence that
title exists. Your car's legal TITLE is the MSO, which the dealer surrendered to the
State. Ms. Rottero said the MSO is put on microfilm for permanent keeping, the
original is destroyed.
After the trial, spectators expressed shock that their personal automobiles
were actually owned by the state. "No wonder state law officers stop people for no reason!"
said a housewife. "If your car's got a Tennessee plate, it's theirs, and they can do anything they like
to you!" That's the law, but it's voluntary. No one but Judge Greer had dared say that
if you don't surrender your car to the state in exchange for plates, you go to jail.
