Greene County Court Process

Navigating a DUI arrest in Greene County, NC, requires understanding the specific local procedures. Your journey through the legal system begins immediately after the arrest, often at 301 N. Greene Street, Snow Hill, NC 28580 – the Greene County Detention Center. Knowing the steps that follow, from chemical testing to vehicle recovery, can significantly impact the outcome of your case.

The Arrest and Processing Sequence

Following a DUI stop by either the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), who heavily patrol US 13 and NC 903, or the Snow Hill Police Department (SHPD), the process is rigid. After Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) indicate impairment, you will be arrested and transported to the Greene County Detention Center.

Here, you'll be taken to the "Intoxilyzer" room for a breath test using an Intoxilyzer EC/IR II, the state standard. Before the test, officers must read you your rights regarding the test, confirmed by a witness. A 15-minute observation period is mandatory to prevent inaccurate readings from "mouth alcohol." Refusal to submit to the breath test results in an immediate 30-day civil license revocation by the Magistrate. Officers may then seek a search warrant for a blood draw, facilitated by the Magistrate's office at the same address. The blood draw typically occurs at a local medical facility.

Detention and Inmate Information

The Greene County Detention Center, with its 96-bed capacity, is a pivotal location. To locate an inmate, several options are available. While the GCSO app offers contact information, the NC VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system at vinelink.vineapps.com provides automated notifications about custody status changes, such as bond postings. Alternatively, contact the jail directly at (252) 747-4700.

Visitation is conducted solely via video conference, with a strict schedule: Saturdays from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM for inmates with last names A-J, and Sundays from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM for last names K-Z. Mail can be sent to 301 N. Greene Street, Snow Hill, NC 28580, but is subject to content monitoring.

Bond and Pretrial Release

Following booking, you'll appear before a Magistrate, located at 301 N Greene St, phone (252) 747-3315. The Magistrate operates 24/7 and determines probable cause and sets release conditions. Greene County operates under Judicial District 9A's Bail and Pretrial Release Policy. While individualized assessment is mandated, a "Recommended Bond Policy Schedule" guides the Magistrate.

For a standard Class 1 Misdemeanor DWI, an unsecured or low secured bond is typical, provided you have local ties. However, a "violent offense" history or existing pretrial release on another charge can lead to a higher secured bond. Habitual Impaired Driving, a felony, carries a bond in the $10,000 - $25,000 range.

Release often depends on sobriety. The Magistrate may release you to a "sober, responsible adult." If no such adult is available, you'll be held until your BAC drops below 0.05 or 24 hours elapse. A "domestic hold" mandates a 48-hour hold without bond if the DUI involved a domestic disturbance.

Vehicle Recovery

Under N.C.G.S. 20-28.3, your vehicle is immediately seized if your license was already revoked for an impaired driving offense or if you drove without a valid license and liability insurance. In a standard first-offense DWI, the vehicle is towed, not seized.

Greene County utilizes a rotation list of private towing companies. To find your vehicle, contact JPJ Towing & Truck Brokers at (919) 751-4646, Richie’s Roadside Assistance at (252) 290-5299, or Snow Hill Auto Body Towing at (410) 632-2044.

If towed for safekeeping, the owner (if not you) can retrieve the vehicle with proof of ownership and payment. If seized, you must petition the Clerk of Court (Form CR-336B) and potentially post a cash bond equal to the vehicle's fair market value.

Be aware of potentially high "storage fees." Without a local ordinance capping fees, these can accumulate quickly. Towing companies hold a lien on the vehicle for unpaid fees, potentially leading to its sale.

Court Proceedings

After release and vehicle recovery, your case moves to the Greene County Courthouse.

Locating an attorney familiar with the Greene County court system should be your immediate next step.