Putnan County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Putnan

(dui.guide - Your resource for DUI information in Putnan, GA)

Being arrested for DUI in Putnan, Georgia, is a stressful experience. On top of the legal challenges, you're likely dealing with the immediate problem of getting your car back. This guide provides practical steps to help you navigate the vehicle impound process in Putnan. Time is of the essence – daily storage fees add up quickly!

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

When you're arrested for DUI in Georgia, it's standard procedure for law enforcement to impound your vehicle. This is done for several reasons:

• Public Safety: To prevent you from driving under the influence again immediately.
• Evidence: The vehicle itself might be considered evidence in your case (though this is less common in standard DUI cases).
• Liability: To protect the police and towing companies from liability if something were to happen to the vehicle while in your possession.

Where Is Your Car?

Finding out where your car is located is the first crucial step.

Official Impound Lots in Putnan

Unfortunately, we don't have specific impound lot information for Putnan County at this time. This is a Tier 3 county, and data is still being collected. However, we can give you the best way to find it.

How to Find Your Vehicle

The fastest way to locate your vehicle is to contact the relevant law enforcement agency.

• Call Putnan Police/Sheriff: Contact the Putnan County Sheriff's Office or the police department of the city where you were arrested. Their contact information should be available online through the Putnan County Government website. Look for links to the Sheriff's Office and/or city police departments.
• Reference your case number: When you call, be prepared to provide your name, date of birth, and, most importantly, your case number (if you have it). This will help them quickly locate the information about your vehicle.
• Most vehicles towed within 24 hours of arrest: Typically, your vehicle will be towed to an impound lot within 24 hours of your arrest. The police should be able to tell you which lot it was taken to.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Once you know where your car is, gather the necessary documents to retrieve it.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license (or someone with a valid license): You or the person retrieving the vehicle must have a valid driver's license.
• Vehicle registration: Proof that you (or the person you authorize) are the registered owner of the vehicle.
• Proof of insurance: Showing current insurance coverage for the vehicle.
• Cash or credit card for fees: Impound lots typically accept cash or credit cards. Check with the specific lot for their accepted payment methods.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended due to the DUI arrest, you won't be able to retrieve the vehicle yourself.

• Have someone else pick it up: You can authorize someone else to retrieve the vehicle on your behalf.
• They need:
• Their valid driver's license
• A signed authorization letter from you, giving them permission to pick up the vehicle.
• A copy of the vehicle title or registration, proving ownership.

Costs & Fees in Putnan

Understanding the costs involved is crucial. These fees can accumulate rapidly, so acting quickly is essential.

Typical Fees (Estimated)

• Towing fee: Expect this to be in the range of $150 - $300.
• Daily storage: Storage fees can range from $20 - $50 per day.
• Administrative fees: These can vary. Expect somewhere in the range of $25-$75.
• Release fee: This is a one-time fee charged for releasing the vehicle, potentially around $50 - $100.

IMPORTANT: These are estimates. Contact the specific impound lot to confirm their exact fees. Every day your car sits there, the storage fees will increase the total amount you owe.

Payment Methods

Contact the impound lot directly to confirm their accepted payment methods. Most accept cash, and many also accept major credit cards.

Timeline

Within 24 Hours

The ideal scenario is to retrieve your vehicle within 24 hours of it being impounded. This minimizes the storage fees you'll incur.

After 30 Days

In Georgia, if a vehicle remains unclaimed for a certain period (often 30 days), the impound lot can initiate a lien sale. This means they can sell the vehicle to recover the outstanding fees. Don't let this happen!

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Dealing with unexpected expenses after a DUI arrest can be tough. Here are some options:

Options

• Borrow from family/friends: This is often the quickest and easiest solution.
• Payment plans (some lots offer this): Some impound lots may offer payment plans, but this is not guaranteed. Inquire directly with the lot.
• Sign the vehicle over to the impound lot (avoid debt but lose the car): As a last resort, you can sign the title of the vehicle over to the impound lot. This releases you from the debt, but you will lose ownership of the car.

What NOT to Do

• Don't wait - fees add up fast: Procrastination will only increase the financial burden.
• Don't abandon the vehicle: Abandoning the vehicle can lead to further legal issues and penalties.

Special Situations

If Your Car Was Evidence

In rare cases, your vehicle might be held as evidence related to your DUI case.

• May be held longer by police: If this is the case, the police will notify you.
• Get release authorization first: Before attempting to retrieve your vehicle, obtain written authorization from the police department stating that the vehicle is no longer needed as evidence.

If Someone Else Owns the Car

If the vehicle is registered to someone else (e.g., a parent, spouse, or leasing company), the registered owner has the right to retrieve the vehicle.

• Registered owner can retrieve regardless of your situation: The owner will need to provide proof of ownership (registration or title) and their valid driver's license.
• They'll need proof of ownership: As stated above.

After Retrieval

Once you've retrieved your vehicle, take these steps:

Check Your Vehicle

• Document any damage immediately: Carefully inspect your vehicle for any damage that may have occurred while it was impounded.
• Take photos: Take clear photos of any damage as evidence.
• Report damage to the impound lot manager: Immediately report any damage to the impound lot manager and obtain a written record of your report.

Putnan Impound Lot Locations

[Note: As mentioned earlier, specific impound lot data for Putnan is currently unavailable. Contact the Putnan County Sheriff's Office or the city police department where you were arrested to determine the location of your vehicle. Search online for "Putnan County Sheriff's Office" and the name of the city where you were arrested to find contact information.]

We will continue to update this guide with more specific information for Putnan County as it becomes available. In the meantime, use this information as a starting point and contact the relevant authorities for accurate, up-to-date details.

Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact a qualified attorney for advice regarding your specific situation.