Trumbull County Court Process

Immediate Steps After a Trumbull County DUI Arrest: Vehicle Impound & Release

If you've been arrested for OVI (Operating a Vehicle under the Influence) in Trumbull County, Ohio, your immediate concern is likely getting your vehicle back. Howland Township, for example, has its own municipal impound lot on North River Road, and understanding the retrieval process is crucial to avoid escalating costs. Failure to act quickly can lead to significant financial penalties and even the loss of your vehicle.

Locating Your Vehicle: Municipal vs. Private Impound

Your vehicle will be impounded either at the Howland Township municipal lot (if space is available and the arrest occurred in Howland) or at one of several private towing facilities contracted by the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. To determine where your vehicle is located, contact the non-emergency dispatch line of the arresting agency. Primary rotation towing companies include:

• Allen's Towing: 2220 N River Rd, Warren, OH 44483. Phone: (330) 638-6123.
• Bud's Towing: 3625 Youngstown-Kingsville Rd, Cortland, OH 44410. Phone: (330) 638-6757.
• May's Towing: 255 Chestnut Ave, Warren, OH 44483. Phone: (330) 393-6066.
• Pantalone's Towing: 214 Langley St, Niles, OH 44446. Phone: (330) 652-8045.
• Emerine's Towing: 3779 Mahoning Ave, Warren, OH 44483. Phone: (330) 847-6949.

Avoiding the "Daily Cutoff" Processing Trap

The Howland Township municipal lot, while officially closing at 4:00 PM, stops processing payments and release paperwork at 3:30 PM. Arriving even a few minutes late guarantees your vehicle will remain impounded overnight, incurring an additional $25.00 calendar-day storage fee. If this happens on a Friday, you're looking at an extra $75 in weekend fees. Arrive at the police station administrative window no later than 3:00 PM to initiate the release process.

The "Exact Cash" Mathematical Trap

Municipal lots in Trumbull County often operate on an "exact cash only" policy. Clerks do not have cash drawers and cannot break large bills. Furthermore, daily storage fees are calculated based on calendar days, not 24-hour periods. An impound at 11:30 PM on Tuesday and retrieval at 9:00 AM on Wednesday counts as two full days of storage. Call the administrative office ahead of time to verify the exact total to the precise dollar, secure the exact physical currency from a bank, and present it at the station.

The "Suspended Owner / Two Driver" Trap

Following an OVI arrest, your driver's license is likely subject to an immediate Administrative License Suspension (ALS). If you are the sole registered owner of the impounded vehicle and your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive it off the lot. Trumbull County jurisdictions require you to bring two validly licensed drivers with you at the time of release – one to drive your vehicle and one to drive the transport vehicle. Coordinate a three-person retrieval team. You, the suspended owner, must be present to sign the legal release and present photo identification, accompanied by two licensed individuals whose credentials will be verified by the police clerk.

Digital Documentation Rejection

Local impound administration explicitly rejects digital copies of insurance or registration displayed on smartphones or tablets. Bring a physical, printed insurance card and original paper registration/title so the department can photocopy and retain the hard records for their audit files.

Risk of Forfeiture

Under Ohio Revised Code Section 4513.61, any vehicle left unclaimed in the municipal impound lot after 15 consecutive days will be declared a public nuisance. The township then has the authority to dispose of, scrap, or auction the vehicle to recover the storage deficit. If you are facing prolonged post-arrest incarceration or lack immediate funds, take immediate action to secure a release or establish a payment protocol to avoid permanent forfeiture of your vehicle.

Trumbull County Jail Release and Bail Bonds

If you are not released on a field summons or personal recognizance bond, you will be detained at the Trumbull County Jail.

Release Process Realities

While the Trumbull County Jail technically processes inmate releases 24/7, releases are unscheduled and contingent upon administrative capacity. The time between posting bail (cash or surety bond) and physical release varies depending on correctional officer workloads, shift priorities, facility lockdowns, and book-out procedures. The standard surety fee in Ohio is 10% of the total bond amount.

Shift Change and Operational Blackouts

Shift changes, meal distributions, and internal scheduling can pause the release process. Manage expectations regarding wait times after the financial transaction is complete. Constant inquiries to the intake desk officers will not expedite the paperwork.

Inmate Account Funding

If you need funds for commissary, hygiene items, or phone calls before release, Trumbull County uses the "Access Corrections" system. Funds can be deposited via the Access Corrections mobile app, online at their web portal, or through automated telephone deposits.

Avoiding OVI Checkpoints in Trumbull County

Trumbull County, like other areas in Ohio, utilizes OVI checkpoints, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights and around holidays. These checkpoints typically operate from 8:00 PM until midnight or later. While you have the legal right to avoid a checkpoint by turning around or taking an alternate route, you must do so legally. Any traffic violation committed while avoiding the checkpoint, such as an illegal U-turn or failure to signal, will result in a traffic stop.

Next Steps

If you've been arrested for OVI in Trumbull County, your immediate priority is securing your vehicle's release. Contact the arresting agency's non-emergency line to determine its location and prepare to navigate the impound process. Remember the 3:00 PM cutoff at the Howland Township lot and the "exact cash" requirement.