Tuscarawas County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Tuscarawas County

After a DUI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired, or OVI) arrest in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, one of the first pressing issues is retrieving your vehicle. Your car is impounded as a standard procedure following the arrest, initiating a process that can quickly become expensive due to accumulating storage fees. Understanding the steps involved in locating and retrieving your vehicle is crucial to minimizing these costs and resolving this immediate logistical challenge.

Where Is Your Car?

Following a DUI arrest, your vehicle is typically towed to a designated impound lot. In Tuscarawas County, one of the primary towing services used by local law enforcement is:

• Finlayson Towing: 417 Park Ave N.E., Bolivar, OH 44612.

It's also possible that a municipal department (e.g., Dover PD or Uhrichsville PD) used a localized municipal rotational tow list.

How to Find Your Vehicle

1. Check Your Arrest Paperwork: The arresting officer is required to provide an impound slip that explicitly identifies the towing company and the lot where your vehicle was taken. Look for this document among your belongings.
2. Contact the Arresting Agency's Dispatch: If you cannot find the impound slip, contact the dispatch center of the arresting agency.

• For Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) arrests, contact the New Philadelphia Post 79 dispatch at (330) 339-1103.
• For Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office arrests, call the administrative line at (330) 339-2000.

1. Reference Your Booking Number: When you call, provide your booking number (if available) to help the dispatch locate your vehicle information quickly.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Before heading to the impound lot, ensure you have all the necessary documents and are prepared to pay the associated fees.

Required Documents

• Valid Driver's License: The person retrieving the vehicle must have a valid, unexpired driver's license.
• Vehicle Registration or Title: You must provide proof of ownership, such as the vehicle's registration or title.
• Proof of Insurance: Valid proof of insurance for the vehicle is required.
• Payment for Fees: Be prepared to pay all towing and storage fees.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

The Administrative License Suspension (ALS) goes into effect immediately if you failed or refused a chemical test. This means your license was likely seized during the arrest, preventing you from legally driving the vehicle off the lot.

• Have a Licensed Friend or Family Member Retrieve It: The easiest solution is to have a friend or family member with a valid driver's license accompany you to the impound lot.
• They Need:
• Their valid driver's license.
• A signed, notarized letter of authorization from you (the registered owner) explicitly naming them as the agent permitted to retrieve the vehicle.
• A photocopy of your state-issued identification.
• The vehicle's title or current registration.

Costs & Fees in Tuscarawas County

Retrieving your vehicle involves paying towing and storage fees. Contact Finlayson Towing at (330) 874-4633 for specific rates, as the exact figures are unavailable publicly and subject to PUCO regulatory caps.

IMPORTANT: Storage fees accumulate daily, so it's crucial to act quickly.

Payment

Contact Finlayson Towing in advance to confirm their accepted payment methods. They typically accept cash, certified checks, and major credit cards.

Timeline

Act Immediately

Storage fees start accruing the moment your vehicle is towed. Every day of delay adds to the total cost.

The Title Office "Lunch Break" Vulnerability

A critical point of logistical failure occurs when the vehicle's title or current registration is locked inside the impounded vehicle, or if a family member needs to rapidly transfer a title to establish ownership for retrieval. The Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts Title Division (located at 125 East High Ave, Room 125, New Philadelphia) completely ceases operations and closes for a mandatory lunch hour between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM daily. Families arriving at the courthouse at 11:50 AM to process paperwork will be turned away until 1:00 PM. This delay often cascades, causing the family to miss afternoon cutoff times at the tow yard, resulting in an additional 24-hour storage fee assessment. All administrative maneuvers regarding vehicle ownership must be aggressively scheduled around this immutable midday closure.

After 30 Days

If the vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period (typically 30 days), the impound lot can initiate a lien sale to recover the unpaid fees. This means they can legally sell your vehicle. Do not let it reach this point.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

If you're struggling to afford the impound fees:

• Contact a Family Member or Friend: Ask for assistance in covering the costs.
• Ask About a Payment Plan: Some impound lots may offer payment plans. Contact Finlayson Towing to inquire about this option.

After Retrieval

• Inspect the Vehicle Immediately: Before leaving the lot, carefully inspect your vehicle for any damage that may have occurred while it was impounded.
• Document Any Damage: Take photos of any damage you find.
• Report Any Damage: Immediately report any damage to the lot manager in writing before you drive away. This creates a record of the damage and can help with any potential claims.

By understanding the process and acting quickly, you can navigate the complexities of vehicle retrieval after a DUI arrest in Tuscarawas County and minimize the associated costs and inconveniences.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens if my car has to be immobilized due to a prior OVI conviction in Tuscarawas County? If you have a prior OVI conviction within ten years, Ohio law mandates a 90-day immobilization of the vehicle. Defense counsel must immediately file a motion in the New Philadelphia Municipal Court petitioning for a waiver of immobilization if it creates an "undue hardship."
2. What if my title or registration is locked inside the impounded vehicle in Tuscarawas County? The Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts Title Division closes for lunch between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. Schedule your visit outside of this window to avoid delays and additional storage fees.
3. Where is the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office Jail located? The Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office Jail is located at 2295 Reiser Ave SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. You can contact them at (330) 339-7783.