Robertson County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Robertson

A DUI arrest in Robertson, TN, is a stressful situation. One of the immediate concerns is often: what happens to my car? This guide provides practical information on how to retrieve your vehicle after a DUI arrest in Robertson County, Tennessee. We understand this is a difficult time, and we aim to provide clear, actionable steps to navigate the impound process.

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

When you're arrested for DUI, your vehicle is typically impounded. This is standard procedure for a few key reasons:

• Public Safety: To prevent you from driving while intoxicated again.
• Evidence Preservation: The vehicle may contain evidence related to the DUI charge.
• Liability: To protect the arresting agency from liability if something were to happen to the vehicle while unattended.

Understanding why your car was impounded helps you understand the urgency of retrieving it quickly.

Where Is Your Car?

Finding your vehicle is the first step. It's likely at an official impound lot within Robertson County.

Official Impound Lots in Robertson

Unfortunately, we don't have a pre-populated list of impound lots in Robertson at this time. Please check local sources for this information.

How to Find Your Vehicle

Here's how to locate your impounded vehicle:

• Call Robertson Police/Sheriff: Contact the Robertson County Police Department or the Robertson County Sheriff's Office. Their number is likely available online.
• Reference your case number: Provide them with your name, date of birth, and case number (if you have it). This will help them locate your vehicle quickly.
• Most vehicles towed within 24 hours of arrest: Your car was likely towed within 24 hours of your arrest, so act fast.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Before heading to the impound lot, gather the necessary documents. Failing to have these will result in denial of release.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license: You (or the person retrieving the vehicle) need a valid driver's license.
• Vehicle registration: Proof that the vehicle is registered.
• Proof of insurance: Current insurance policy for the vehicle.
• Cash or credit card for fees: Impound lots typically accept cash or credit cards (check with the specific lot to confirm accepted payment methods).

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended due to the DUI arrest, you can still retrieve your vehicle, but you'll need someone else with a valid license to do so.

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

Costs & Fees in Robertson

The cost of retrieving your vehicle can add up quickly, so understanding the fee structure is crucial.

Typical Fees

• Towing fee: Expect to pay between $150 and $300 for the initial tow.
• Daily storage: Daily storage fees can range from $20 to $50 per day.
• Administrative fees: There may be administrative fees associated with processing the release, generally in the range of $[range].
• Release fee: A release fee of $[amount] may also apply.

IMPORTANT: These fees accumulate daily. Every day your car sits in the impound lot, the bill gets higher. Get your car back as soon as possible to minimize costs.

Payment Methods

Unfortunately, we don't have specific payment method information for Robertson impound lots. Call the impound lot directly to confirm accepted payment methods (cash, credit card, debit card, etc.).

Timeline

Time is of the essence when retrieving your vehicle.

Within 24 Hours

Ideally, retrieve your vehicle within the first 24 hours to avoid accumulating significant 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 their costs. You'll lose your vehicle and potentially still owe money.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Financial hardship can make retrieving your vehicle difficult. Here are some options:

Options

• Borrow from family/friends: Consider borrowing money from trusted sources.
• Payment plans: Some impound lots may offer payment plans. Inquire about this possibility.
• Sign vehicle over to impound lot: As a last resort, you can sign the vehicle over to the impound lot. This avoids accumulating further debt, but you will lose ownership of the car.

What NOT to Do

• Don't wait: Procrastination only increases the fees.
• Don't abandon the vehicle: Abandoning the vehicle can lead to further legal complications and financial penalties.

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 your DUI case, it may be held for a longer period.

• May be held longer by police: The police will notify you when the vehicle is released.
• Get release authorization first: Obtain written authorization from the investigating officer or the court before attempting to retrieve the vehicle.

If Someone Else Owns the Car

If the vehicle is registered in someone else's name (e.g., a parent or spouse), the registered owner has the right to retrieve the vehicle, regardless of your DUI arrest.

• Registered owner can retrieve regardless of your situation: The registered owner will need to provide proof of ownership (title or registration) and their valid driver's license.
• They'll need proof of ownership: This is essential for them to claim the vehicle.

After Retrieval

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

Check Your Vehicle

Thoroughly inspect your vehicle for any damage that may have occurred while it was impounded.

• Document any damage immediately: Note any scratches, dents, or other damage.
• Take photos: Capture photographic evidence of the damage.
• Report damage to impound lot manager: Immediately report the damage to the impound lot manager and request a written record of your report.

Robertson Impound Lot Locations

[This section would ideally contain a list of Robertson impound lots with addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, and potentially map references. This data is not currently available but should be populated when available.]

This guide provides a starting point for navigating the vehicle impound process after a DUI arrest in Robertson County, TN. Remember to act quickly, gather the necessary documents, and communicate effectively with the impound lot to retrieve your vehicle as smoothly as possible. Good luck.