Scott County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Scott, TN

Being arrested for a DUI in Scott County, Tennessee is a stressful experience. One of the immediate concerns is often: "What happens to my car?" Unfortunately, vehicles are almost always impounded following a DUI arrest. This guide provides practical information on how to locate, retrieve, and handle the costs associated with getting your car back. Time is of the essence, so understanding this process quickly is crucial.

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

When you're arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in Tennessee, your vehicle is typically impounded for several reasons:

• Public Safety: To prevent you from driving under the influence again immediately.
• Evidence: The vehicle itself might be considered evidence in your case.
• Liability: To protect law enforcement and the towing company from liability if the vehicle is damaged or involved in another incident.

Knowing why your car was impounded is less important than knowing how to get it back. Let's get to that.

Where Is Your Car?

Finding your vehicle quickly is essential because storage fees accumulate daily.

Official Impound Lots in Scott

Unfortunately, we don't have specific data on official impound lots in Scott County at this time. This information will be updated as it becomes available. In the meantime, follow the steps below to locate your vehicle.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Call Scott Police/Sheriff: The quickest way to find your car is to contact the Scott County Sheriff's Department or the Scott Police Department. You can find their phone number online through a quick search for "Scott County Sheriff's Department phone number" or "Scott Police Department phone number".
• Reference your case number: When you call, provide your name, date of birth, and, most importantly, your 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 soon after your arrest, so don't delay in contacting the authorities.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Once you've located your vehicle, you'll need to gather the necessary documents to retrieve it.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license (or someone with valid license): You'll need a valid driver's license to prove you (or someone acting on your behalf) are authorized to drive the vehicle.
• Vehicle registration: This confirms that the vehicle is registered to you (or someone you have permission from).
• Proof of insurance: You'll need to show proof that the vehicle is insured.
• Cash or credit card for fees: Be prepared to pay towing and storage fees.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended due to the DUI arrest, you have a couple of options:

• Have someone else pick it up: The easiest solution is to have a licensed driver retrieve the vehicle for you.
• They need: Their valid driver's license, a signed authorization letter from you stating they have permission to pick up the vehicle, and the vehicle title or registration to prove ownership or authorization.

Costs & Fees in Scott

Understanding the costs involved is crucial, as they can quickly add up.

Typical Fees

These are estimates of the typical fees you might encounter. Contact the specific impound lot for exact figures.

• Towing fee: $150-300
• Daily storage: $20-50 per day
• Administrative fees: $[range] (Varies)
• Release fee: $[amount] (Varies)

IMPORTANT: These fees accumulate daily. The longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes. Act quickly!

Payment Methods

Payment methods vary by impound lot. It's best to call the specific lot to confirm which payment methods they accept (cash, credit card, debit card, etc.).

Timeline

Understanding the timeline is essential to avoid further complications and costs.

Within 24 Hours

The ideal scenario is to retrieve your vehicle within 24 hours of impoundment. This minimizes storage fees and potential administrative headaches.

After 30 Days

If your vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period (typically 30 days), the impound lot has the right to sell it at a lien sale to recover their costs. Don't let this happen!

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Facing a DUI arrest often comes with unexpected financial burdens. If you're struggling to afford the impound fees, consider these options:

Options

• Borrow from family/friends: This is often the quickest and easiest solution.
• Payment plans (some lots offer this): Some impound lots may offer payment plans. It's worth asking if this is an option.
• Sign vehicle over to impound lot (avoid debt but lose car): As a last resort, you can sign the vehicle over to the impound lot. This avoids accruing further debt, but you will lose ownership of the car.

What NOT to Do

• Don't wait - fees add up fast: Procrastination will only make the situation worse financially.
• Don't abandon the vehicle: Abandoning the vehicle can lead to further legal issues and financial penalties.

Special Situations

Certain circumstances can complicate the retrieval process.

If Your Car Was Evidence

If the police are holding your car as evidence in your DUI case, you'll need to obtain a release authorization from the investigating officer or the court before the impound lot will release it. Contact your attorney for assistance in obtaining this authorization.

If Someone Else Owns the Car

If the vehicle is registered to someone else (e.g., a parent or spouse), the registered owner can retrieve the vehicle regardless of your situation. They will need to provide proof of ownership (vehicle title or registration) and a valid driver's license.

After Retrieval

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

Check Your Vehicle

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

Document any damage immediately

Take detailed photographs of any damage.

Take photos

Photos are crucial for documenting the condition of your vehicle.

Report damage to impound lot manager

Immediately report any damage to the impound lot manager and file a written claim.

Scott Impound Lot Locations

[This section will be populated with a detailed list of impound lot locations in Scott County, TN, including addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, and a map reference (if available) as soon as this data is available. Check back for updates!]

Please note: This guide is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with an attorney for advice regarding your specific situation.