Few moments are more frustrating than discovering your vehicle has been towed after a DUI or DWI arrest. Beyond dealing with the criminal charges, you may suddenly face towing fees, storage costs, transportation challenges, and uncertainty about when you can get your car back. The good news is that, in most situations, impounded vehicles can be recovered once certain legal and administrative requirements have been met.
The exact process varies by state and even by municipality, but understanding the common steps can help you avoid unnecessary delays and expenses. If you’ve been arrested for impaired driving, consulting a Minneapolis DWI lawyer at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys can help you understand both the criminal case and the procedures affecting your vehicle.
Why Was Your Car Impounded?
After a DUI arrest, law enforcement officers often arrange for the vehicle to be towed if there is no sober, licensed driver available to take possession of it. In many jurisdictions, towing is required by department policy whenever a driver is taken into custody for impaired driving.
Impoundment also protects the vehicle while preventing an impaired driver from returning to the road immediately after the arrest. If the vehicle is blocking traffic, creating a hazard, or parked in an unsafe location, towing is often the safest solution for everyone involved.
Although the impoundment may feel like an additional punishment, it is generally considered an administrative procedure separate from the criminal case.
Find Out Where Your Vehicle Was Taken
The first step is determining the location of your vehicle…