Stonewall County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Stonewall

Being arrested for DUI in Stonewall, Texas is a stressful experience. On top of the legal challenges, you're likely wondering what happens to your car. This guide provides immediate, practical information on how to retrieve your vehicle from impound in Stonewall.

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

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

• Public Safety: To prevent you from driving under the influence again immediately.
• Evidence: Your car might be held as potential evidence in your DUI case, although this is less common.
• Liability: To protect the arresting agency from liability if something were to happen to the vehicle while unattended.

Understanding why your car was impounded is the first step towards getting it back.

Where Is Your Car?

Finding your vehicle is crucial to minimizing storage fees. Since Stonewall, TX is a Tier 3 county with no official population, impound lot information may be limited.

Official Impound Lots in Stonewall

Unfortunately, specific impound lot data for Stonewall is currently unavailable. We are working to obtain this information. However, it is likely your vehicle was towed to a nearby impound lot in a larger neighboring county.

How to Find Your Vehicle

Here’s how to locate your impounded vehicle:

• Call Stonewall Police/Sheriff: Contact the Stonewall County Sheriff's Office or the arresting agency immediately. Ask them where your vehicle was towed.
• Phone Number: Unfortunately, we do not have the direct line for the Stonewall County Sheriff's Office available at this time. You will need to search online for their official contact information.
• Reference Your Case Number: Have your case number or booking information ready when you call. This will help them quickly locate your vehicle's impound location.
• Towing Timeframe: Most vehicles are towed within 24 hours of the arrest. Don't delay in contacting the authorities to find out where it is.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Once you know where your car is, gather the necessary documents for retrieval.

Required Documents

• Valid Driver's License: You (or the person retrieving the vehicle) must have a valid driver's license.
• Vehicle Registration: Proof that the vehicle is registered.
• Proof of Insurance: Current insurance policy for the vehicle.
• Cash or Credit Card: 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.

• Have Someone Else Pick It Up: Designate a licensed driver to retrieve the vehicle.
• Their Requirements: The designated driver needs:
• Their valid driver's license.
• Authorization from you (a signed letter stating they have your permission).
• Vehicle title or registration proving ownership (or copy).

Costs & Fees in Stonewall

Impound fees can add up quickly, so understanding the costs is essential. Since Stonewall is a small county, expect potentially higher fees due to the lack of local competition.

Typical Fees

• Towing Fee: Expect to pay between $150 and $300 for the initial tow.
• Daily Storage: Storage fees can range from $20 to $50 per day. This is where costs can escalate dramatically.
• Administrative Fees: These fees can range from $25 to $75 depending on the impound lot.
• Release Fee: A one-time release fee may be charged, typically around $50.

IMPORTANT: These fees accumulate daily. The longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes. Act immediately!

Payment Methods

Payment methods vary by impound lot. Contact the specific impound lot where your vehicle is located to confirm accepted forms of payment. It is likely they will accept cash and major credit cards. Some may accept debit cards.

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 minimizes daily storage fees and prevents the total cost from skyrocketing.

After 30 Days

In Texas, if a vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period (typically 30 days), the impound lot can initiate a lien sale. This means they can legally sell your vehicle to recover their costs.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Facing financial hardship after a DUI is common. Here are some options to consider:

Options

• Borrow from Family/Friends: The most straightforward solution is to ask for financial assistance from loved ones.
• Payment Plans: Inquire with the impound lot about payment plans. Some facilities may offer installment options, but this is not guaranteed.
• Sign Vehicle Over to Impound Lot: As a last resort, you can sign the vehicle's title over to the impound lot. This relieves you of the debt but means you lose ownership of the car.

What NOT to Do

• Don't Wait: Procrastination will only increase the fees.
• Don't Abandon the Vehicle: Abandoning the vehicle can lead to further legal complications and fines.

Special Situations

If Your Car Was Evidence

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

• Get Release Authorization: Contact the Stonewall County District Attorney's office or the investigating officer to obtain a release authorization. You'll need this document to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot.

If Someone Else Owns the Car

If the vehicle is registered to someone else (e.g., a family member or leasing company), the registered owner has the right to retrieve it.

• Proof of Ownership: The registered owner will need to provide proof of ownership (title or registration).
• Your Situation is Irrelevant: Your DUI arrest does not prevent the registered owner from claiming their vehicle.

After Retrieval

Once you have your vehicle back, take these steps:

Check Your Vehicle

Thoroughly inspect your vehicle for any damage that may have occurred during the tow or while in storage.

Document Any Damage Immediately

• Take Photos: Capture photographic evidence of any damage.
• Report to Impound Lot Manager: Immediately report the damage to the impound lot manager and file a written complaint.

Stonewall Impound Lot Locations

As stated earlier, we are working to obtain a list of local Stonewall County impound lots. For now, contact the Stonewall County Sheriff's Office (phone number available online) to find the location of your vehicle.

Remember, acting quickly is essential to minimize fees and retrieve your vehicle after a DUI arrest in Stonewall, Texas.