Union County DUI Guide

DUI Arrest in Union County, NC: Complete Guide

Being arrested for Driving While Impaired (DWI) in Union County, North Carolina, can be overwhelming. You're likely facing immediate license suspension, impoundment of your vehicle, and a confusing legal process. This guide provides immediate, practical information to help you navigate the Union County DUI system, from getting out of jail to understanding your court dates and getting your car back. The DUI process in Union County involves navigating a system characterized by geographic displacement and administrative opacity. This guide will help you understand the key phases and potential pitfalls.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

Following a DUI arrest in Union County, here's a general timeline of what to expect in the first 24 hours:

• Arrest and Initial Processing: You will likely be arrested by the Union County Sheriff's Office (UCSO) or the Monroe Police Department.
• Transportation to Jail: You'll be transported to the Union County Jail located on Presson Road in Monroe.
• Booking Process: The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording your personal information.
• Phone Calls: You will be allowed to make a phone call or two soon after booking. Use this to contact family, a friend, or an attorney.
• Bail: You will either be released on a written promise to appear, released on bail, or held until your first court appearance.
• Release: Once bail is posted or you are otherwise released, you are free to leave.

Critical Deadlines

Missing deadlines can severely impact your case. Here are some key deadlines to keep in mind:

• ALR Hearing Request: You typically have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing with the NCDMV to challenge your license suspension.
• First Court Appearance: Your first court appearance date will be listed on your release paperwork. Missing this date can result in a Failure to Appear (FTA) charge and a warrant for your arrest.
• 30-Day Civil Revocation: Understand that you are subject to an immediate 30-day civil revocation of your license.

DUI Enforcement in Union County

Union County actively enforces DUI laws. While specific checkpoint locations are not publicly advertised, be aware that the UCSO and Monroe Police Department conduct sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols throughout the county.

Local Resources

• Union County Judicial Center:
• Address: Located in downtown Monroe
• Union County DUI/Drug Court:
• Phone: (704) 698-3235
• Stegall's Towing (Monroe Rotation):
• Address: 2714 B Cureton St, Monroe, NC 28112
• Phone: (843) 658-3575
• Email: 6723300@gmail.com
• Monroe Driver License Office:
• Information: Check the NCDMV website for the most up-to-date location and hours.
• Eastway Wrecker / Martin Edwards & Associates (State Contractors):
• Contact: (877) DWI-TOWS / (877) 394-8697
• Note: Used if your vehicle was seized due to license revocation.

What Makes Union County Different

Union County's DUI process has several unique aspects:

• Vehicle Seizure and the "Eastway Loop": If you were arrested for DUI while your license was already revoked for a prior impaired driving offense (or if you're unlicensed and uninsured), your vehicle is likely subject to mandatory seizure. This means your vehicle will likely be towed to Eastway Wrecker in Charlotte, not a local lot. This creates a significant logistical problem, as you are legally prohibited from driving there yourself due to the license revocation. Contact Eastway Wrecker at (877) DWI-TOWS / (877) 394-8697 to confirm your vehicle's location.
• The "No Cell Phone" Policy at the Courthouse: The Union County Judicial Center strictly prohibits cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices for the general public. This means you cannot bring your phone into the courthouse. This creates a significant problem for defendants who rely on ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft to get to and from court, as they will be unable to summon a ride after leaving the courthouse. Plan accordingly.
• Impound Fees and the Expedited Sale Trap: Be aware of the potential for an "expedited sale" of your vehicle if towing and storage charges accumulate. If the charges reach a certain threshold relative to the vehicle's value, the towing company can petition the court to sell your vehicle before your trial.
• Hearing Location Disconnect: The administrative hearings for contested DWI revocations or refusal hearings are not held in Monroe. You will likely have to travel to another location for your hearing.
• License Reinstatement Logistics: Reinstating your license involves a logistical split. You'll likely need to pay a Civil Revocation Fee to the Clerk of Court at the courthouse in downtown Monroe and then pay reinstatement fees to the DMV on Hwy 74. Without a car, navigating this gap to clear your license in a single day is nearly impossible.

To start the process of recovering your impounded vehicle, begin by contacting Stegall's Towing at (843) 658-3575 if you believe your vehicle was impounded locally.