Nash County Vehicle Impound Guide

Navigating a DWI arrest in Nash County, North Carolina, involves understanding the legal and logistical processes that begin immediately after the arrest. One of the first concerns is often what happens to your vehicle. If you're facing a DWI in Nash County, here's what you need to know about vehicle impoundment, detention, and the legal steps that follow.

Vehicle Impoundment and Towing in Nash County

If you are arrested for DWI in Nash County, your vehicle will likely be impounded. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) and the Nash County Sheriff's Office (NCSO) use a Rotation Wrecker List to ensure fair and rapid towing services. This means a towing company on the rotation will be called to the scene to impound your vehicle.

What to Do: Immediately after your release, determine where your vehicle was towed. Companies on the rotation for the Nashville/Rocky Mount area include Coastal Wrecker Service (252-977-1025), Ralph's Wrecker Service (252-442-7894), and Taylor’s Exxon (252-459-7100). Contact the relevant towing company to inquire about release procedures and fees.

Towing and Storage Fees: Be prepared for towing and storage fees. Base tow rates for passenger vehicles often start around $200-$370, with labor rates for complex recoveries (winching) capped at approximately $200 per hour. Storage fees typically range from $30 to $50 per day. These fees are regulated, but can add up quickly.

DWI Seize and Freeze

Under N.C.G.S. § 20-28.3, if you are charged with DWI while your license is revoked for a prior impaired driving offense, your vehicle is subject to immediate seizure. This is often referred to as "DWI Seize and Freeze."

What to Do: If your vehicle is seized under this statute, it will be towed to a designated impound lot and "frozen," meaning it cannot be released without a court order. If you are not the owner of the vehicle, the "innocent owner" (e.g., a spouse or parent who did not know the driver was revoked) may petition the Clerk of Court for release. This requires a hearing, usually within 10 days, and the posting of a bond equal to the vehicle's fair market value. Regardless of the outcome, the owner is statutorily required to pay all towing and storage fees before the vehicle is released.

Nash County Detention Center: Booking and Intake

Following a DWI arrest, you will be taken to the Nash County Detention Center, located at 222 West Washington Street, Nashville, NC 27856. This facility serves as the central intake hub for all law enforcement agencies operating within the county.

Intake Process: The intake process involves several critical steps:

• Medical Screening: You will undergo a preliminary medical assessment to determine if you are fit for confinement or require hospitalization.
• Chemical Testing: If not performed roadside, the evidentiary breath test (Intoxilyzer EC/IR II) will be administered in the booking area. Refusal to submit to this test triggers an immediate report to the DMV.
• Property Intake: Your personal items will be cataloged and stored. Note that the facility strictly prohibits the introduction of personal items from the outside; all necessities must be purchased through the facility's commissary vendor, Kimball's Commissary Company.

Communication and Visitation: Personal mail for inmates must be sent to a third-party processing center in Greensboro (PO Box 18247, Greensboro, NC 27419). Legal mail is the only exception and may be sent directly to the facility address. Physical contact visitation is generally not permitted. The facility utilizes a video visitation system provided by iWebVisit, costing $4.50 per 15-minute interval.

Bond Setting and the Pretrial Integrity Act

The initial judicial determination of release conditions is performed by a Magistrate. A significant change occurred with the passage of the Pretrial Integrity Act in October 2023.

Impact on DWI: If you are arrested for DWI and have a pending charge for DWI or another Chapter 20 offense, the magistrate must deny release. You will be held in custody to appear before a District Court Judge, who has the exclusive authority to set conditions of release. If a judge is unavailable (e.g., weekend arrests), you can be held for up to 48 hours before a magistrate re-assumes authority to set a bond.

Bond Schedules: For first-time offenders, magistrates utilize a recommended bond schedule. A Written Promise to Appear is often used for Level 5 DWI cases with no aggravating factors. Secured bonds are required for higher-risk defendants. The suggested range for Class H and I felonies (which can include Habitual DWI) is $5,000 - $25,000.

Bail Bonding Services: If a secured bond is required, you can utilize professional bail bondsmen. Agencies such as Amistad Bail Bonds operate 24/7 near the Nashville courthouse complex. The premium is capped by statute at 15% of the bond amount. For a $2,000 bond, the non-refundable fee is $300.

Nash County Courthouse and Judicial Process

Nash County falls within Judicial District 8. The judicial process is centered at the Nash County Courthouse, located at 234 West Washington Street, Nashville, NC 27856.

eCourts Implementation: Nash County implemented eCourts (Track 8) in April 2025. This transition from paper to digital files (Odyssey Integrated Case Management System) allows the public and attorneys to search case statuses, court dates, and judgments online without visiting the Clerk's office.

Recovery Court: Nash County participates in the North Carolina Recovery Court program, an intensive supervision option for high-risk offenders (often habitual DWI).

Administrative License Revocation (DMV)

Upon being charged with DWI, you will receive an immediate 30-day civil revocation if your BAC is 0.08 or higher. After 10 days, you may petition the court for a Limited Driving Privilege (LDP). This requires proof of insurance (DL-123), a substance abuse assessment, and an affidavit of employment.

Next Step: Contact the Nash County Clerk of Superior Court at 252-220-3000 to inquire about court dates and procedures for filing for a Limited Driving Privilege.