Greene County Vehicle Impound Guide

Navigating DUI Impound in Greene County, NC: A Detailed Guide

If you've been arrested for a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in Greene County, North Carolina, you're likely facing immediate concerns about your vehicle. North Carolina law dictates specific procedures for vehicle impoundment and release after a DUI arrest. This guide will help you understand the process in Greene County and what steps you need to take to recover your vehicle.

Who Makes DUI Arrests in Greene County?

Several law enforcement agencies operate in Greene County, and each plays a role in DUI enforcement:

• Greene County Sheriff's Office (GCSO): The primary law enforcement agency for the county. They also manage the Greene County Detention Center, located at 301 N. Greene Street, Snow Hill, NC 28580, where DUI arrestees are processed.
• Snow Hill Police Department (SHPD): Enforces DUI laws within Snow Hill's town limits but relies on the GCSO for transport and detention. A SHPD DUI arrest essentially becomes a GCSO matter upon transport.
• North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP): Troopers patrol major highways like US 13 and NC 903 and are statistically the most likely to initiate a DUI stop on these roads. NCSHP arrests are also processed at the Greene County Detention Center.

DUI Processing: From Roadside to Jail

After a DUI arrest, the following sequence typically unfolds:

1. Roadside Investigation: Expect Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs).
2. Transport: If arrested, you'll be taken to the Greene County Detention Center at 301 N. Greene Street, Snow Hill.
3. Chemical Testing: At the Detention Center, you'll be asked to submit to a breath test using an Intoxilyzer EC/IR II. You have the right to refuse, but this triggers an immediate 30-day civil revocation of your driver's license. If you refuse, officers may seek a search warrant from the Magistrate (located in the same building) to draw your blood at a local medical facility.

Greene County Detention Center Details

The Detention Center, located at 301 N. Greene Street, Snow Hill, NC 28580, is a 96-bed facility. To locate an inmate, you can:

• Check NC VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday): This is the primary tool for automated custody status notifications. Access it at vinelink.vineapps.com.
• Call the Detention Center directly: (252) 747-4700.
• Visit in person: The Magistrate's lobby often serves as the information waiting area.

Visitation is strictly video-only and follows this schedule:

• Saturday: Last names A - J (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
• Sunday: Last names K - Z (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)

Vehicle Seizure vs. Towing: What’s the Difference?

North Carolina law (N.C.G.S. 20-28.3) dictates when your vehicle is seized versus towed:

• Seizure: Occurs if you're driving on a revoked license due to a prior impaired driving offense, or without a valid license and liability insurance.
• Towing: In standard first-offense DWI cases with a valid license, the vehicle is towed for safekeeping because you're arrested.

This distinction is crucial for release.

Recovering Your Vehicle: A Step-by-Step Guide

Greene County doesn't have a county-owned impound lot. The GCSO uses a rotation list of private towing companies. If your vehicle was towed, the officer will request the "next" wrecker on the list. To find your vehicle, contact:

• JPJ Towing & Truck Brokers: (919) 751-4646
• Richie’s Roadside Assistance: (252) 290-5299
• Snow Hill Auto Body Towing: (410) 632-2044

If the vehicle was towed for safekeeping (standard tow):

• The owner (if not the driver) can retrieve it immediately with proof of ownership and payment of fees.
• If the driver is the owner, they can retrieve it upon release from jail.

If the vehicle was seized (under N.C.G.S. 20-28.3):

1. Petition the Clerk of Court: File Form CR-336B with the Clerk of Court.
2. Post a Bond: You may need to post a cash bond equal to the vehicle's fair market value.
3. Obtain a Release Order: If the seizure wasn't justified, or after 24 hours with a bond posted, the Magistrate issues a release order.

Beware of Predatory Towing Fees

Greene County lacks a municipal ordinance capping towing fees, potentially leading to high storage fees. Storage fees accrue daily, and if you're held in jail for an extended period, they can exceed the vehicle's value. Towing companies hold a lien on the vehicle for unpaid fees.

After Release: The Magistrate and Bond

Following booking, you'll appear before a Magistrate at 301 N Greene St. (phone: (252) 747-3315) for a bond hearing. While Greene County operates under Judicial District 9A's "Bail and Pretrial Release Policy," which mandates individualized assessment, a "Recommended Bond Policy Schedule" is used as a baseline. Standard DWI (Class 1 Misdemeanor) typically results in an unsecured or low secured bond for defendants with local ties. Release often hinges on being released to a "sober, responsible adult" or after your BAC drops below 0.05.

Take Action:

After locating your vehicle with one of the towing companies, immediately inquire about their daily storage rates and acceptable forms of payment. Have your title or registration ready, and prepare to pay the required fees promptly to mitigate costs.