Camden County Vehicle Impound Guide

If you're arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Camden County, North Carolina, your vehicle will likely be impounded. Understanding the process, your rights, and how to navigate the legal complexities is crucial.

Understanding DUI Impound in Camden County

Impoundment, or vehicle seizure, is a common consequence of a DUI arrest in Camden County. North Carolina law allows for immediate seizure of a vehicle when the driver is arrested for impaired driving. This is especially true if your license is already revoked or suspended, or if there's a minor in the car. Knowing the specifics of how this plays out in Camden County is key.

Why Was My Car Impounded?

Several factors can lead to vehicle impoundment during a Camden County DUI arrest:

• DUI Arrest Itself: A standard DUI charge triggers impoundment procedures.
• License Status: Driving with a revoked or suspended license adds to the likelihood, and potential length, of impoundment.
• Aggravating Factors: If a minor was in the vehicle, or if there was an accident involving serious injury, expect the impound to be strictly enforced.
• Prior DUI Convictions: Repeat offenders often face harsher penalties, including longer impoundment periods.

Where is My Car? Camden County's Impound Logistics

Camden County does not have its own dedicated impound lot. Typically, vehicles are towed to a contracted towing service in or near Elizabeth City, the closest major city. Contact the Camden County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 771-5221 to confirm the exact location where your vehicle was taken.

• Sheriff's Office Role: Camden County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies handle the initial DUI arrest and initiate the impound process.
• Highway Patrol Involvement: The North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) also actively patrols Camden County, particularly on US-17, NC-343 and NC-158, and their DUI arrests also result in impoundment.
• Limited Resources: Keep in mind that because Camden County lacks its own municipal police force, the CCSO deputies handle a wide range of duties. A DUI arrest, including the transport of the arrestee to the Albemarle District Jail (ADJ) in Elizabeth City (Pasquotank County), can take a deputy out of service for several hours. This impacts the speed of processing the paperwork related to your vehicle's impound.

Costs and Fees Associated with Impound

Reclaiming your vehicle from impound involves several costs:

• Towing Fees: These vary but are typically between $100 and $250.
• Daily Storage Fees: Storage fees can range from $30 to $75 per day, quickly adding up if you delay reclaiming your vehicle.
• Administrative Fees: The towing company may charge additional administrative fees for processing the release.
• Potential Liens: If the vehicle isn’t registered in your name, the registered owner will need to provide proof of ownership and potentially pay any outstanding fees.

Failure to promptly retrieve your vehicle can lead to the towing company filing a lien against it, and ultimately selling it to recover costs.

Steps to Reclaim Your Impounded Vehicle

1. Identify the Impound Location: Contact the Camden County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 771-5221.
2. Gather Necessary Documents: You'll typically need your driver's license (or a valid form of identification), proof of ownership (vehicle registration or title), and proof of insurance.
3. Pay All Fees: Be prepared to pay all towing, storage, and administrative fees in cash or with a certified check. Confirm acceptable forms of payment beforehand.
4. Obtain a Release Form: The Camden County Sheriff's Office will likely need to issue a release form authorizing the towing company to release the vehicle to you.
5. Retrieve Your Vehicle: Go to the impound lot with your documents, release form, and payment to claim your vehicle.

Potential Challenges and Considerations

• Weekend Arrests: If arrested on a weekend, accessing the Sheriff's Office for the release form can be delayed until Monday morning.
• Holiday Enforcement: Be aware that the NCSHP often increases patrols during holidays. This means a higher likelihood of DUI arrests and subsequent vehicle impoundments.
• Proving Ownership: If you are not the registered owner of the vehicle, you'll need to provide documentation proving your right to possess it, such as a rental agreement or a notarized letter from the owner.

DUI Checkpoints in Camden County

Under N.C.G.S. § 20-16.3A, the NCSHP and CCSO can establish DUI checkpoints at strategic locations like intersections near South Mills or approaches to the Pasquotank River bridges. If arrested at a checkpoint, the same impound procedures apply. The legality of these checkpoints can be challenged, but that must be done through legal representation.

To start the process of reclaiming your vehicle, immediately contact the Camden County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 771-5221 to determine where your car is being held and what specific documentation they require for release.