Hoke County Vehicle Impound Guide

If your car has been impounded after a DUI arrest in Hoke County, NC, it's likely being held in Raeford. The Raeford Police Department is located at 315 N. Main Street, and they are involved in urban traffic enforcement. Understanding the impound process and how to recover your vehicle is crucial. Here’s what you need to know:

Why Was My Car Impounded?

In Hoke County, when you're arrested for Driving While Impaired (DWI), the arresting officer, whether from the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), the Raeford Police Department (RPD), or the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), is required to secure your vehicle. This almost always means impoundment. The location of the stop significantly impacts which agency is involved and the subsequent steps in the impound process.

Who Impounded My Car?

The agency that made the arrest determines where your car is taken. HCSO deputies patrolling unincorporated areas like Rockfish and Westgate may utilize contracted towing services to transport your vehicle. RPD officers, with their headquarters close to the Magistrate’s Office and County Courthouse, might use a different local towing company. NCSHP troopers, often patrolling US 401 (Fayetteville Road), also have designated towing providers they work with. Contact the arresting agency to find out where your car is being held.

The Impound Release Process

Recovering your vehicle involves navigating several logistical hurdles and dealing with different bureaucracies. First, you need to determine the impound lot where your car is being held. Contact the arresting agency or Hoke County Sheriff's Office to find this information: (910) 875-5113.

Once you know the location, you will need the following:

• Proof of Ownership: This is usually your vehicle registration or title.
• Valid Driver's License: Even if yours is suspended due to the DWI, someone with a valid license can retrieve the vehicle on your behalf, provided they have your permission.
• Proof of Insurance: Current insurance documentation for the vehicle.
• Payment for Impound and Storage Fees: Be prepared to pay towing and daily storage fees. These fees can accumulate quickly, so act promptly.

Getting Your Keys Back

One often-overlooked aspect is retrieving your car keys. If the Hoke County Detention Center, located at 125 E. Edinborough Avenue in Raeford, seized your keys during booking, they are sealed in a property bag. If a family member attempts to retrieve the impounded car while you are still in custody, you must sign a property release form to allow them access to the keys. This requires the family member to be present in the jail lobby during a time when lobby staff can facilitate the signature, which can complicate the process. The Jail Administrator is Major Lisa Thomas.

Dealing with Refusal

If you refused a breath test, the officer will have filed a refusal affidavit with the DMV, triggering an immediate 6-month revocation of your license (followed by a 1-year revocation). Your license will be seized immediately, which makes retrieving the vehicle yourself impossible. You will need someone with a valid license to pick up the vehicle.

Important Considerations

• Timing: Act quickly! Impound lots charge daily storage fees, which can add up fast.
• Third-Party Retrieval: If you cannot retrieve the vehicle yourself (due to license suspension or other reasons), a trusted friend or family member can do so on your behalf with your permission and proper documentation.
• Witnesses: If the detainee’s vehicle keys are seized during booking, they are sealed in a property bag. If a family member attempts to retrieve the impounded car while the detainee is still in custody, they cannot access the keys unless the inmate signs a property release form.

Next Steps

Contact the arresting agency to determine the location of your vehicle and their specific requirements for release. Call the Hoke County Detention Center at (910) 875-5113 to confirm procedures for key release if necessary. Gather all required documents and arrange payment for impound and storage fees.