Allen County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Allen

A DUI arrest is a stressful experience, and dealing with the aftermath can be overwhelming. One immediate concern is often: "Where's my car, and how do I get it back?" This guide is designed to provide you with practical steps to retrieve your vehicle after a DUI arrest in Allen, Ohio, minimizing costs and potential complications. Time is of the essence, so act quickly.

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

When you're arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in Allen, Ohio, your vehicle is typically impounded. This is standard procedure to prevent further potentially dangerous operation of the vehicle. The impound is usually ordered by the arresting officer and the vehicle is towed to a designated impound lot. Understanding this process is the first step to getting your car back.

Where Is Your Car?

The first step is locating your vehicle. It's usually taken to an official impound lot within Allen County.

Official Impound Lots in Allen

[List impound lots from database with addresses, phones, hours - This section needs to be populated with actual data from the database when available]

Example if data was available:

• Allen County Impound: 123 Main Street, Allen, OH. Phone: (555) 123-4567. Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 9am-12pm.

How to Find Your Vehicle

If you don't know where your car was towed, here's how to find out:

• Call Allen Police/Sheriff: Contact the Allen Police Department or Allen County Sheriff's Office. You should be able to get the information from them.
• Phone Number: Obtain this from your release paperwork or by searching online.
• Reference your case number: When you call, provide your name, date of birth, and if possible, your case number from your arrest paperwork. This will help them locate the vehicle information quickly.
• Most vehicles towed within 24 hours of arrest: The tow typically happens immediately following your arrest. Your vehicle is usually at the impound lot within 24 hours.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Once you know where your car is impounded, you need to gather the necessary documents to retrieve it.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license (or someone with valid license): You or someone you authorize must have a valid driver's license to claim the vehicle.
• Vehicle registration: This proves ownership of the vehicle.
• Proof of insurance: Your insurance must be current and valid for the vehicle.
• Cash or credit card for fees: Impound lots typically accept cash and major credit cards. Check with the specific lot beforehand to confirm accepted payment methods.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended due to the DUI arrest, you cannot retrieve the vehicle yourself. You have two options:

• Have someone else pick it up: A friend or family member with a valid driver's license can retrieve the vehicle on your behalf.
• They need:
• Their valid driver's license
• A signed authorization letter from you, giving them permission to retrieve the vehicle.
• The vehicle title or registration (to prove ownership).

Costs & Fees in Allen

Understanding the costs associated with impound fees is crucial. These fees can add up quickly, so acting promptly is essential.

Typical Fees

• Towing fee: $150 - $300 (This covers the cost of towing the vehicle to the impound lot.)
• Daily storage: $20 - $50 per day (This is a daily fee for storing your vehicle at the impound lot.)
• Administrative fees: $[Range] (These fees cover the paperwork and processing involved in the impound and release of the vehicle. This section needs to be populated with actual data when available.)
• Release fee: $[Amount] (This is a one-time fee charged for releasing the vehicle back to the owner. This section needs to be populated with actual data when available.)

IMPORTANT: Fees accumulate daily. Every day your car sits in the impound lot, the cost increases. Retrieve your car ASAP to minimize expenses.

Payment Methods

[Cash, credit card, etc. - from impound lot data if available. This section needs to be populated with actual data from the database when available]

Example if data was available:

• Most impound lots accept cash, Visa, and Mastercard. Call ahead to confirm.

Timeline

Knowing the timeline is critical to avoid further complications and potential loss of your vehicle.

Within 24 Hours

Ideally, retrieve your car within 24 hours of the impound. This will minimize the daily storage fees.

After 30 Days

If your vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period (typically 30 days), the impound lot may have the right to sell it at a lien sale to recover the outstanding fees. This means you could lose your vehicle permanently.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Facing financial difficulties after a DUI arrest is common. Here are some options if you're struggling to afford the impound fees:

Options

• Borrow from family/friends: This is often the quickest and easiest solution.
• Payment plans (some lots offer this): Inquire with the impound lot to see if they offer payment plans. Some may be willing to work with you, but this is not guaranteed.
• Sign vehicle over to impound lot (avoid debt but lose car): As a last resort, you can sign the title of the vehicle over to the impound lot. This will relieve you of the debt, but you will lose ownership of the car.

What NOT to Do

• Don't wait - fees add up fast: Procrastination will only increase the amount you owe.
• Don't abandon the vehicle: Abandoning the vehicle can lead to further legal issues and fines.

Special Situations

Certain circumstances can complicate the vehicle retrieval process.

If Your Car Was Evidence

If the police are holding your car as evidence in the DUI case, it may be held for a longer period.

• May be held longer by police: Contact the Allen County Prosecutor's Office to inquire about the status of your vehicle.
• Get release authorization first: You will need written authorization from the police or prosecutor's office before the impound lot will release the vehicle.

If Someone Else Owns the Car

If the vehicle is registered to someone else (e.g., a parent, spouse, or leasing company), the registered owner has the right to retrieve the vehicle, regardless of your license status.

• Registered owner can retrieve regardless of your situation: They will need to provide proof of ownership (vehicle title or registration) and their valid driver's license.
• They'll need proof of ownership

After Retrieval

Once you've retrieved your vehicle, take these steps:

Check Your Vehicle

• Document any damage immediately: Carefully inspect the vehicle for any damage that may have occurred during the towing or storage process.
• Take photos: Take detailed photos of any damage as evidence.
• Report damage to impound lot manager: Immediately report any damage to the impound lot manager and file a written claim.

Allen Impound Lot Locations

[Detailed list with map references if available. This section needs to be populated with actual data from the database when available]

Example if data was available:

• Allen County Impound: 123 Main Street, Allen, OH. [Link to Google Maps]

Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Contact a qualified attorney for advice regarding your specific situation.

Remember to consult with a DUI attorney in Allen County to understand your legal rights and options after a DUI arrest.