Clinton County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Clinton County

After a DUI arrest in Clinton County, Ohio, one of the most immediate concerns is retrieving your vehicle. Vehicles are typically impounded following a DUI arrest for several reasons: as evidence, for public safety, or as a consequence of the arrest itself. Understanding the impound process and what you need to do is crucial to minimize expenses and get your vehicle back as quickly as possible. The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office utilizes a rotation of private towing contractors, so the specific impound lot will vary.

Where Is Your Car?

The first step is determining where your vehicle was towed. Unlike some areas with a central municipal impound lot, Clinton County uses a decentralized system of private towing companies. This means you'll need to do some legwork to find your vehicle. Determining which specific lot holds the vehicle requires contacting the arresting agency's non-emergency dispatch line directly to identify which contractor was assigned the tow.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The arresting officer should have provided you with documentation that includes the name of the towing company and possibly a phone number. Look carefully through the paperwork you received at the time of your arrest.
• Call the Clinton County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line: If you can't find the information on your paperwork, call the Clinton County Sheriff's Office at (937) 382-1611. Provide them with your name, date of arrest, and a description of your vehicle. They should be able to tell you which towing company has your car.
• Reference your booking number: When you call, have your booking number ready. This will help the Sheriff's Office quickly locate your information.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office maintains an absolute, uncompromising policy regarding proof of ownership. A vehicle will only be released upon the physical presentation of the vehicle's Certificate of Title, and that title must be issued exclusively in the claimant's name. There are "No Exceptions" to this mandate.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license: The person retrieving the vehicle must have a valid driver's license.
• Vehicle title: You must present the original Certificate of Title issued in your name. Vehicle registration, insurance cards, or a notarized bill of sale are not sufficient.
• Investigating Officer Hold Clearance: The private tow yard is legally prohibited from releasing the vehicle until the hold is explicitly cleared. The solution requires the defendant or their legal counsel to proactively track down the specific investigating officer assigned to the case and petition for the removal of the hold.
• Payment for fees: You will need to pay all towing and storage fees before the vehicle will be released.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended due to the DUI arrest, you cannot personally retrieve the vehicle.

• Have a licensed friend or family member retrieve it: The vehicle's legal titleholder must personally travel to the impound authorization desk, present the physical title, and produce their own valid driver's license.
• They need: Their valid license, the original vehicle title in the titleholder's name.

Costs & Fees in Clinton County

Because law enforcement in Clinton County utilizes a rotation of private towing contractors rather than a single, centralized municipal impound lot, specific financial data points vary by contractor. Towing fees in Ohio typically range from $150 to $300. Daily storage fees typically range from $25 to $50 per day. These are just estimates.

IMPORTANT: Storage fees accumulate every day. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible to minimize these costs.

Payment

Call the impound lot in advance to confirm accepted payment methods. Some may accept cash only, while others may take credit cards or money orders. Be prepared for any possibility.

Timeline

Act Immediately

Storage fees start accruing the moment your vehicle is towed. Every day your vehicle remains in the impound lot costs you more money. Contact the Clinton County Sheriff's Office and the towing company as soon as possible after your release.

After 30 Days

In Ohio, if a vehicle remains unclaimed for a certain period (typically 30 days), the impound lot can initiate a lien sale to recover their costs. This means they can sell your vehicle. Do not let it reach this point.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

If you are struggling to afford the towing and storage fees:

• Contact a family member or friend: Ask if they can help you cover the costs.
• Ask the impound lot if a payment plan is available: Some impound lots may offer payment plans, but this is not guaranteed. It's always worth asking.

After Retrieval

• Inspect the vehicle immediately before leaving the lot: Before driving away, carefully inspect your vehicle for any damage that may have occurred while it was impounded.
• Document any damage with photos: Take photos of any damage you find.
• Report any damage to the lot manager in writing before you drive away: Notify the impound lot manager of the damage in writing before you leave the premises. This will create a record of your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can someone else pick up my car for me? Yes, but only the legal titleholder can retrieve the vehicle upon presenting their valid driver's license and the original Certificate of Title in their name. Standard documentation that might suffice in other jurisdictions—such as a valid vehicle registration, an insurance card, or a notarized bill of sale—is entirely useless in Clinton County.
• What if the arresting officer placed an "investigative hold" on my car? If the arresting officer suspects that the vehicle contains contraband, is required for evidentiary processing, or is subject to an asset forfeiture proceeding, the officer will place a formal investigative hold on the asset. This hold acts as an absolute embargo. The solution requires the defendant or their legal counsel to proactively track down the specific investigating officer assigned to the case and petition for the removal of the hold. Only after the investigating officer formally clears the restriction can the Sheriff's administrative staff transmit the necessary release authorization to the private towing contractor.
• What happens if I can't find the title to my vehicle? Contact the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) immediately to request a duplicate title. This process can take time, so start it as soon as possible. The impound lot will not release your vehicle without the original Certificate of Title.