Will my Car be Towed after I Get a DWI in Minnesota?
DWI charges can be terrible for lots of reasons including the charge itself with the potential jail or prison time that comes with that. However, this doesn’t include license ramifications, insurance costs and more, but let’s start with something more comprehensible. What do the cops do with your car? If you are charged with a DWI in Minnesota, there are a lot of issues to consider including this one. Sit down with an experienced Minnesota criminal defenses attorney. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation.
“Don’t forget, you will be charged for towing and storage costs if your car gets towed.”
To Tow or Not to Tow? That is the Question.
After you are stopped on the side of the road and arrested for DWI, whether or not your car will be towed depends on multiple factors. These include the policies of the police department that arrested you, the unusual circumstances of your case and sometimes the mood of the officer. Notice this last one, the mood of the officer.
“A piece of advice, be quiet and polite once arrested. Otherwise, the officer may try to make your life harder.”
In the vast majority of cases, your car may be towed and impounded by the police once you have been arrested. The logic for towing seems to be the seriousness of the charge, trying to avoid creating a safety hazard, retaining the car for evidence, or trying to keep you from getting the car back into your possession.
All of this being said, there are occasionally circumstances where the police officer may not tow your vehicle. The most common reason is if there is a sober passenger in the vehicle who will drive the car to a safe location but this is usually within the discretion of the officer.
Where Do the Police Take the Vehicle?
Well, this depends. Every jurisdiction is different. Every city and county many have a different impound yard where they store the car. The question is whether or not they will allow you or another to retrieve it. Generally, if they don’t object, you will need to show up with proof of ownership, proof of insurance and a valid driving’s license plus any storage fees. Call the local police department where you were arrested and they will likely have the location of your car and the process to retrieve it.
“To pick up your car, don’t forget proof of ownership, insurance and valid insurance plus storage fees.”
Ultimately, it is important to remember that the police will sometimes retain the car for further investigation or if they intend to seek forfeiture of the vehicle. In Minnesota, there are very particular reasons when forfeiture is an option for the police. Consult with an experienced attorney for more.
Go with the Best
Jack Rice is a nationally known criminal defense attorney although he Founded Jack Rice Defense as a boutique criminal defense firm right here in St. Paul, Minnesota. Jack is a former prosecutor, former CIA officer and Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339. Jack’s got your back.