Hoke County Bail Information

Hoke County DUI Bail: What You Need to Know

If you've been arrested for Driving While Impaired (DWI) in Hoke County, North Carolina, understanding the bail process is crucial. The Hoke County Detention Center, located at 125 E. Edinborough Avenue in Raeford, is where most individuals arrested for DUI will be processed and held until bail is addressed. The Pretrial Integrity Act of 2023 has changed the landscape, especially for repeat offenders, potentially leading to longer periods in custody. Here's what you need to know about securing your release.

Understanding the Arrest Process and Initial Detention

The moment those blue lights flash, the clock starts ticking. Whether you're stopped by the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), the Raeford Police Department (RPD), or the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), the initial steps are critical. HCSO patrols unincorporated areas like Rockfish and Westgate, while RPD focuses on Raeford, particularly along Highway 401 Business and Highway 211. NCSHP primarily patrols US 401.

After the stop, officers typically administer Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). If probable cause exists, you'll be arrested and transported to the Hoke County Detention Center. It's important to know that even if the stop occurred miles away, such as in Pinehill or South Hoke, you'll be taken to the Detention Center in Raeford. This transport time can impact BAC calculations later, so document the time of the stop.

Intoximeter Testing and Refusal Consequences

The Hoke County Detention Center houses the Intoximeter EC/IR II, the device used for breath alcohol testing. Before the test, a 15-minute observation period is required. You have the right to a witness to observe the testing procedure, but they must arrive within 30 minutes. Given the Detention Center's security protocols, witnesses must present ID at the magistrate’s window or jail lobby and be escorted, making timely arrival challenging.

Refusing the breath test triggers significant consequences. The officer will seize your license and file a refusal affidavit with the DMV, resulting in an immediate 6-month revocation followed by a 1-year revocation. Additionally, the officer may seek a search warrant from the Magistrate's Office at 227 N. Main St, located right next door to the Detention Center, to obtain a blood sample. This blood draw usually takes place at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Hoke on Hwy 401, or EMS personnel may conduct the draw at the jail.

The Booking Process and Tracking Information

Upon arrival at the Detention Center's sally port, the booking process begins: a pat-down, property seizure, and a medical screening. If your vehicle keys are seized, they are sealed. A family member retrieving your car cannot access the keys without your signed property release form, requiring their presence at the jail lobby while staff can facilitate the signature.

To track your status, family and counsel can use the NC SAVAN / VineLink system (vinelink.vineapps.com or the VINELink mobile app). Be aware that there may be a 1-4 hour delay between physical booking and the record appearing online.

Understanding Bail and Release Conditions

Bail in Hoke County is determined by a magistrate. Factors considered include your criminal history, the severity of the charges, and whether you are a flight risk. The Pretrial Integrity Act of 2023 has impacted bail, particularly for repeat offenders, who may face stricter release conditions or be denied bail altogether.

The Hoke County Detention Center's inmate information line is 910-875-5113. Major Lisa Thomas serves as the Jail Administrator. Contacting the Detention Center or using the VINELink system is the quickest way to determine your bail amount and any conditions of release.

Retrieving Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

After your DUI arrest and release, you'll need to retrieve your vehicle. It is likely impounded and towed. The fees for towing and storage vary. You'll need proof of ownership, such as the vehicle registration, and valid identification. If the vehicle keys were seized during booking, remember that the inmate must sign a property release form before the family can access the keys. Contact the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office or the Raeford Police Department, depending on which agency made the arrest, for specifics on where your car was towed and the process for retrieving it.

After being processed at the Hoke County Detention Center at 125 E. Edinborough Avenue, your next step to reclaim your vehicle after release will be contacting the arresting agency, either the HCSO at 429 East Central Avenue or the RPD at 315 N. Main Street, for information on its location and release requirements.