Moore County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Moore

Being arrested for a DUI in Moore, Texas can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. Besides the legal ramifications, one of the immediate concerns is often: what happens to my car? This guide provides practical information on how to retrieve your impounded vehicle after a DUI arrest in Moore. Acting quickly is crucial to minimize fees and avoid further complications.

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

When you're arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Texas, your vehicle is typically impounded. This is standard procedure to prevent you from driving under the influence again and to ensure public safety. Your car will be towed and stored at an official impound lot until you, or someone authorized by you, can retrieve it. Understanding the process and acting quickly is vital to minimize storage fees and prevent further complications.

Where Is Your Car?

Finding out where your car is impounded is the first crucial step. In Moore, Texas, with no incorporated cities and a sparse population, knowing where your vehicle is located can be slightly more challenging than in a large city.

Official Impound Lots in Moore

Unfortunately, we don't have specific impound lot data for Moore, Texas, at this time. However, we can provide general guidance.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Call Moore Police/Sheriff: The quickest way to locate your vehicle is to contact the Moore County Sheriff's Department. They will have a record of where your car was towed. You can reach them at .
• Reference your case number: When you call, provide your case number or any identifying information from your arrest. This will help them quickly locate your vehicle's impound location.
• Most vehicles towed within 24 hours of arrest: Typically, your vehicle will be towed to an impound lot within 24 hours of your arrest. Don't delay in contacting the Sheriff's Department to find its location.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Retrieving your car requires specific documentation and payment. Be prepared to present the following:

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license (or someone with valid license): You, or the person retrieving the vehicle, must have a valid driver's license.
• Vehicle registration: You need the current registration for the vehicle.
• Proof of insurance: You need proof of current insurance coverage for the vehicle.
• Cash or credit card for fees: Be prepared to pay towing and storage fees.

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 to pick it up for you.

• Have someone else pick it up: A friend or family member with a valid license can retrieve the vehicle on your behalf.
• They need:
• Their valid driver's license.
• A signed authorization from you, giving them permission to retrieve the vehicle.
• The vehicle title or registration in your name.

Costs & Fees in Moore

Understanding the costs associated with impound fees is crucial, as they accumulate quickly.

Typical Fees

• Towing fee: $150-300 (This can vary depending on the towing company and distance).
• Daily storage: $20-50 per day (This is a significant cost, emphasizing the need to retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible).
• Administrative fees: $[Range - Research Needed] (Impound lots often charge administrative fees for processing the release).
• Release fee: $[Amount - Research Needed] (A final fee charged upon releasing the vehicle).

IMPORTANT: Fees accumulate daily. The longer you wait, the more expensive it will be to get your car back.

Payment Methods

[Cash, credit card, etc. - from impound lot data if available. Since data is unavailable, research common payment methods for Texas impound lots and list them.] Typically, impound lots accept cash and major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover). It's always a good idea to call the specific impound lot ahead of time to confirm their accepted payment methods.

Timeline

Time is of the essence when it comes to retrieving your vehicle.

Within 24 Hours

Aim to retrieve your car within 24 hours of the impound. This will help you avoid significant daily storage fees.

After 30 Days

In Texas, if a vehicle is not retrieved within a certain timeframe (often 30 days), the impound lot has the right to sell it at a lien sale to recover their costs. Don't let this happen!

If You Can't Afford the Fees

The impound fees can be a significant financial burden, especially after a DUI arrest.

Options

• Borrow from family/friends: This is often the quickest and easiest solution.
• Payment plans (some lots offer this): Some impound lots may offer payment plans, but this is not guaranteed. Inquire about this option directly with the impound lot.
• Sign vehicle over to impound lot (avoid debt but lose car): If you absolutely cannot afford the fees, you may be able to sign the vehicle over to the impound lot. This will relieve you of the debt, but you will lose ownership of the car.

What NOT to Do

• Don't wait - fees add up fast: Procrastination will only increase the cost of retrieval.
• Don't abandon the vehicle: Abandoning the vehicle can lead to further legal consequences and additional fees.

Special Situations

Certain situations can complicate the retrieval process.

If Your Car Was Evidence

If the police are holding your car as evidence in your DUI case, it may be held longer than usual.

• May be held longer by police: You will need to wait until the police release the vehicle.
• Get release authorization first: Contact the investigating officer or the District Attorney's office to obtain a release authorization before attempting to retrieve the vehicle.

If Someone Else Owns the Car

If the vehicle is registered to someone else, the registered owner has the right to retrieve it, regardless of your situation.

• Registered owner can retrieve regardless of your situation: The registered owner will need to provide proof of ownership (title or registration) and a valid driver's license.
• They'll need proof of ownership: The impound lot will verify their ownership before releasing the vehicle.

After Retrieval

Once you retrieve your vehicle, take the following steps:

Check Your Vehicle

• Document any damage immediately: Carefully inspect your vehicle for any damage that may have occurred during the towing or storage process.
• Take photos: Take detailed photos of any damage as evidence.
• Report damage to impound lot manager: Immediately report any damage to the impound lot manager and file a written claim.

Moore Impound Lot Locations

[This section requires research. Since we don't have a database of impound lots in Moore, Texas, provide general guidance. Suggest calling the Moore County Sheriff's Department for specific information. Also, include a Google Maps link to the Moore County Sheriff's Department.]

Unfortunately, specific impound lot locations in Moore, Texas are not readily available in a centralized database. The best way to find the location of your vehicle is to contact the Moore County Sheriff's Department directly at .

[Link to Google Maps for Moore County Sheriff's Department - Research the Address and create the link]

They will be able to provide you with the specific impound lot where your vehicle is being held.