DeKalb County DUI Court Guide

The DeKalb County Juridical Infrastructure presents overlapping jurisdictions, distinct administrative bodies, and bifurcated legal tracks separating criminal adjudication from civil licensure sanctions. For a DUI defendant, arrest triggers two independent legal timelines: criminal prosecution managed by the State Court of DeKalb County, and the administrative license suspension (ALS) managed by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).

Phase 1: Vehicle Impoundment in DeKalb County

If you are arrested for DUI in DeKalb County, retrieving your vehicle involves an administrative authorization phase and a physical retrieval phase. You can't simply go to the tow lot to pay and drive away. DeKalb County requires a "Vehicle Release Form" obtainable from a centralized police facility before claiming your vehicle from a private contractor.

DeKalb County Police Property & Evidence

The DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) Property and Evidence Section acts as the administrative gatekeeper. It is located at 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, GA 30032. For most arrests, the vehicle is not stored here. You visit this office to prove ownership and obtain the release paperwork required by the private towing companies.

Important Considerations:

• Wednesday Closure: The facility is closed to the public on Wednesdays, weekends, and government holidays. This can add approximately 48 hours of storage costs to the defendant’s financial burden.
• Lunch Closure: The facility enforces a lunch closure daily from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Documentation: You'll need a current, valid state-issued Driver's License, ID Card, US Military ID, or Passport.
• Owner Presence: The registered owner must be present to obtain the release. If someone else attempts to retrieve the vehicle, they need an "Authorization of Release Letter" from the arresting officer or detective.
• Firearms: If a firearm was seized, the process is more rigorous, requiring a background check and specific officer permission.

Private Towing Network

DeKalb County uses a precinct-based rotation system, so the arrest location determines which private company holds your vehicle.

• North-Central Precinct: Arrests in North-Central regions (Chamblee, Doraville areas outside municipal limits) are routed to Brown & Brown Wrecker Service, 3854 North Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341, (770) 457-3879.
• Tucker Precinct: Arrests in Tucker, and all large vehicle tows (over six wheels) county-wide, go to S&W Towing, 2158 Tucker Industrial Road, Tucker, GA 30084, (770) 493-9083.
• East Precinct: The East Precinct contracts with Statewide Wrecker Service, 6995 Covington Hwy, Lithonia, GA 30058, (770) 322-9688.
• South Precinct: The southern districts utilize South DeKalb Transport & Storage, 7043 Rogers Lake Road, Lithonia, GA 30058, (404) 508-0246.

Phase 2: DeKalb County Jail

Following an arrest, you'll be taken to the DeKalb County Jail at 4425 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032. The phone number is (404) 298-8145 (General Info) / (404) 298-8195 (Bonding).

Important Considerations:

• Shift Change Blackout: Shift changes occur around 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. During these times, inmate movement and release paperwork processing often stop.
• Bond Amounts: DUI 1st Offense bond typically falls in the range of $1,000 to $1,500. Additional charges such as "Reckless Driving" or "Failure to Maintain Lane," carry their own bond amounts (e.g., ~$500 - $1,000), which are added cumulatively.

Phase 4: DDS and the 30-Day Rule

Upon arrest for DUI (refusal or BAC > 0.08), the officer seizes the physical license and issues a yellow DDS 1205 form which serves as a temporary driving permit for 45 days. You have 30 calendar days from the date of arrest to file a response with the DDS, or your license will be automatically suspended on the 46th day.

Within the 30-day window, you must choose one of two paths:

1. Request an ALS Hearing: Send a request letter and a $150 filing fee to the DDS (P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013).
2. Ignition Interlock Limited Driving Permit (IILDP): Waive the right to a hearing, install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) immediately, and apply for a permit within the 30 days.

For reinstatement services (e.g., paying fees, presenting DUI school certificates), the primary DDS location for DeKalb residents is 2801 Candler Road, Suite 82, Decatur, GA 30034.