Reeves County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Reeves

Being arrested for DUI in Reeves, Texas is a stressful situation. On top of the legal challenges ahead, you're likely wondering what happens to your car. This guide provides immediate, practical information on how to retrieve your vehicle after a DUI arrest in Reeves County. We understand this is a difficult time, and we're here to help you navigate the process.

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

After a DUI arrest, your vehicle is typically impounded for several reasons:

• Safety: To prevent you from driving under the influence again.
• Evidence: The vehicle might be held as evidence in your case, although this is less common.
• Policy: Standard procedure for DUI arrests in Reeves County.

It's crucial to act quickly to retrieve your vehicle to minimize storage fees and potential complications.

Where Is Your Car?

Finding out where your car is impounded is the first step.

Official Impound Lots in Reeves

Unfortunately, we don't have specific impound lot data for Reeves, TX at this time. Please follow the instructions below.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Call Reeves Police/Sheriff: Your best bet is to contact the Reeves County Sheriff's Office or the police department that arrested you. They will have the most accurate information about where your car was towed. You can usually find their phone number through a quick online search (e.g., "Reeves County Sheriff's Office phone number").
• Reference your case number: When you call, provide your name, date of birth, and if possible, your case number (you should have received some paperwork at the time of your arrest). This will help them locate your vehicle quickly.
• Most vehicles towed within 24 hours of arrest: The impound lot typically tows vehicles within 24 hours of the arrest.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

You'll need specific documents to retrieve your vehicle.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license: Either yours or someone else's who is legally allowed to drive the vehicle.
• Vehicle registration: Proof that the vehicle is registered.
• Proof of insurance: Showing the vehicle is currently insured.
• Cash or credit card for fees: Be prepared to pay the impound fees. Call ahead to confirm acceptable payment methods.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended or you don't have a valid license for another reason, you can still have someone else retrieve the vehicle.

• Have someone else pick it up: A friend or family member with a valid driver's license can pick up the car for you.
• They need:
• Their valid driver's license.
• Authorization from you: A signed statement giving them permission to retrieve the vehicle on your behalf. This may need to be notarized, so check with the impound lot.
• Vehicle title or registration: To prove ownership or authorization.

Costs & Fees in Reeves

Understanding the costs involved is crucial for planning your retrieval.

Typical Fees

These are estimated fees. Contact the specific impound lot for accurate pricing.

• Towing fee: $150 - $300
• Daily storage: $20 - $50 per day (this adds up very quickly!)
• Administrative fees: $25 - $75
• Release fee: $50 - $100

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

Payment Methods

[Information not available for Reeves impound lots at this time. Call the impound lot to confirm accepted payment methods. Common methods include cash, credit card, and sometimes debit card. Personal checks are usually not accepted.]

Timeline

Acting quickly is essential to minimize costs.

Within 24 Hours

Retrieving your car within 24 hours of impoundment is ideal to avoid accumulating multiple days of storage fees.

After 30 Days

In Texas, if a vehicle remains unclaimed for a significant period (typically 30 days), the impound lot can initiate a lien sale. This means they can sell the vehicle to recover the outstanding fees. You'll lose your car and potentially face further legal consequences.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

It's understandable if you're facing financial difficulties. 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, allowing you to pay the fees in installments. Inquire about this option.
• Sign vehicle over to impound lot: As a last resort, you can sign the vehicle over to the impound lot. This avoids accumulating further debt but means you'll lose your car.

What NOT to Do

• Don't wait: Fees accumulate fast. Procrastinating will only make the situation worse.
• Don't abandon the vehicle: Abandoning the vehicle can lead to further legal trouble and fines.

Special Situations

Certain circumstances require additional steps.

If Your Car Was Evidence

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

• May be held longer by police: Contact your attorney to determine when the vehicle will be released.
• Get release authorization first: Before going to the impound lot, obtain written authorization from the police department or the District Attorney's office stating that the vehicle is no longer needed as evidence.

If Someone Else Owns the Car

If the vehicle is registered to someone else (e.g., a parent or spouse), the registered owner has the right to retrieve the car.

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

After Retrieval

Once you've retrieved your vehicle, take these steps:

Check Your Vehicle

• Document any damage immediately: Carefully inspect your vehicle for any damage that may have occurred while it was impounded.
• Take photos: Take clear photos of any damage, both close-up and from a distance.
• Report damage to impound lot manager: Immediately report any damage to the impound lot manager and obtain a written acknowledgement of your report. This will be crucial if you need to file a claim later.

Reeves Impound Lot Locations

[As mentioned above, we currently lack specific impound lot information for Reeves County. Please contact the Reeves County Sheriff's Office or the police department that arrested you for the exact location of your vehicle. We are working to gather this data and will update this guide as soon as possible.]

We hope this guide has provided you with the information you need to retrieve your vehicle after a DUI arrest in Reeves, Texas. Remember to act quickly and contact the relevant authorities for specific details regarding your situation. Good luck.