Shelby County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Shelby

Being arrested for a DUI in Shelby, Ohio is a stressful experience. On top of the legal challenges, you’re likely dealing with the immediate problem of your impounded vehicle. This guide provides practical steps to help you retrieve your car quickly and efficiently, minimizing fees and further complications. We understand this is a difficult time, and we're here to provide clear, actionable information.

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

Following a DUI arrest in Shelby, your vehicle is typically impounded for a few key reasons:

• Public Safety: Removing the vehicle prevents further unsafe driving.
• Evidence: The vehicle may be held as evidence in your DUI case.
• Compliance: Impoundment ensures compliance with Ohio's DUI laws.

Understanding why your car was impounded is the first step in getting it back. The next step is locating it.

Where Is Your Car?

Finding your vehicle is crucial to minimizing storage fees. Most vehicles are towed to an official impound lot within Shelby County.

Official Impound Lots in Shelby

Unfortunately, we don't have a specific list of impound lots in Shelby at this time. We are working to gather this information and will update this page as soon as possible. Please refer to the next section for how to locate your vehicle in the meantime.

How to Find Your Vehicle

Without a specific list of impound lots, here's how to track down your car:

• Call Shelby Police/Sheriff: This is your first and most important step. Contact the Shelby Police Department or the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. They will have record of where your vehicle was towed.
• Shelby Police Department Phone Number: (Insert Phone Number Here - Check Shelby PD Website)
• Shelby County Sheriff's Office Phone Number: (Insert Phone Number Here - Check Shelby County Sheriff Website)
• 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 quickly locate your vehicle's impound location.
• Vehicles towed quickly: Most vehicles are towed within 24 hours of your arrest. Don't delay in contacting the authorities.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Once you've located your car, you'll need specific documents to retrieve it.

Required Documents

Be prepared with the following:

• Valid driver's license: You'll need a valid driver's license to claim the vehicle.
• Vehicle registration: Proof that you are the registered owner of the vehicle.
• Proof of insurance: Current insurance documentation for the vehicle.
• Cash or credit card for fees: Impound lots typically accept both cash and credit cards, but it's always a good idea to confirm their accepted payment methods beforehand.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended due to the DUI arrest, you can still get your car back, but you'll need someone else with a valid license to do it for you. This person will need:

• Their valid driver's license.
• Authorization from you: A signed statement authorizing them to pick up the vehicle on your behalf.
• Vehicle title or registration: To prove ownership (or your right to possess the vehicle).

Costs & Fees in Shelby

Understanding the costs associated with impoundment is essential to avoid surprises.

Typical Fees

Expect to pay the following:

• Towing fee: Approximately $150-$300.
• Daily storage: Ranging from $20-$50 per day. This is where costs can quickly escalate.
• Administrative fees: Expect these to range from $25-$75.
• Release fee: This is a one-time fee for releasing the vehicle, typically around $50.

IMPORTANT: Fees accumulate daily. The longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes to retrieve your vehicle.

Payment Methods

We do not have impound lot-specific payment information for Shelby County at this time. However, it's safe to assume that most impound lots will accept cash and major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover). Call the impound lot to confirm before going.

Timeline

Acting quickly is key to minimizing costs.

Within 24 Hours

Aim to retrieve your car within the first 24 hours to avoid accruing multiple days of storage fees.

After 30 Days

In Ohio, if a vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period (typically 30 days), the impound lot may have the legal right to sell the vehicle at a lien sale to recover their costs.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Financial hardship is a common concern after a DUI arrest. Here are some options:

Options

• Borrow from family/friends: This is often the quickest and easiest solution.
• Payment plans: Some impound lots may offer payment plans. Inquire about this possibility.
• Sign vehicle over to the impound lot: This avoids further debt, but you will lose ownership of the vehicle. Carefully consider this option.

What NOT to Do

• Don't wait: Fees add up exponentially. Procrastination will only worsen the situation.
• Don't abandon the vehicle: Abandoning your vehicle can lead to further legal issues and financial penalties.

Special Situations

Certain circumstances may 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 a release authorization from the Shelby County Prosecutor's Office before the impound lot will release it. Contact your attorney to obtain this authorization.

If Someone Else Owns the Car

If the vehicle is registered to someone else (e.g., a family member or a leasing company), the registered owner can retrieve the vehicle regardless of your situation. They will need to provide proof of ownership (title or registration).

After Retrieval

Once you have your car back, take these precautions:

Check Your Vehicle

Thoroughly inspect your vehicle for any damage that may have occurred during towing or storage.

Document Any Damage Immediately

Take detailed photos of any damage you find. This will be crucial if you need to file a claim with the impound lot or towing company.

Report Damage to Impound Lot Manager

Immediately report any damage to the impound lot manager and request a written acknowledgement of your report.

Shelby Impound Lot Locations

[IMPORTANT: This section needs to be populated with data. Once we have impound lot data for Shelby, OH, we will list each location with its address, phone number, hours of operation, and a link to a map (if available).]

We are actively working to gather the most up-to-date information on Shelby impound lot locations. Please check back soon for a detailed listing. In the meantime, follow the instructions above to locate your vehicle through the Shelby Police Department or Shelby County Sheriff's Office.

This guide is intended to provide general information and should not be considered legal advice. It is always best to consult with an attorney regarding your specific DUI case.