Vehicle Impoundment and DUI Charges in San Jose

San Jose Vehicle Impoundment Lawyer

There are a few circumstances under which the police in California have the right to impound your vehicle. If you are stopped for another offence and it is discovered that you are driving without a valid driver's license, or with a suspended or revoked driver's license, the police can impound your car and have it towed away on the spot. The vehicle will then be kept for 30 days.

The fees and costs associated with having your car returned to you can be in the thousands of dollars. Sobriety checkpoints which have been operated for years to fight drunk driving, have recently resulted in thousands of drivers having their cars impounded, not due to being charged with a DUI, but because they had a recently expired license, a suspended license or a revoked license.

Impoundment Laws are Changing

Several cities in California, including Oakland and Los Angeles, have abolished or severely curtailed the practice of stranding motorists on the side of the road while their cars are impounded. But other cities have not followed suit as quickly. The move is on to loosen the strict rule of impoundment, and courts are beginning to be more sympathetic to the plight of those who have been harshly dealt with. Literally, the punishment here does not always fit the crime.

We are always available to receive your call to arrange a convenient appointment for you. Our attorneys will meet with you personally to discuss your case and present you their legal opinion. We have helped many clients retrieve their vehicle and avoid the high costs and fines associated with impoundment.