Michael Kramer, Attorney at law

1311 Mamaroneck Ave
Suite 340
White Plains, NY 10605
mk@michaelkramerlaw.com

Call for a Free, 20-min,
Traffic Ticket Strategy Session

(914) 709-7161

Michael Kramer, Attorney at law

Interviewer: If someone were to get their car impounded, when would they get it back?

Michael Kramer: Well, if the car’s impounded and it’s not being held as evidence, which is usually the case in Westchester County, they can get it back at their earliest convenience by proof of insurance and registration and so forth. However, there are certain jurisdictions that seek to institute forfeiture laws where they actually try to seize your car after a DWI.

There was talk of that in Westchester County but thankfully it has not been instituted. If you include forfeiture of a car you can imagine the expense involved.

Interviewer: I’ve heard of situations where the court may want to keep the car for an extended period of time. Does that actually happen?

Michael Kramer: The court does not get involved with your car initially. It is the police and district attorney’s office that, upon your arrest, make the initial decision. If there was an accident and there’s something about the car that they want expert witnesses to examine, then the police may keep the car as evidence. But eventually, if it is not going to be kept as evidence or for forfeiture, they have to release it.

Interviewer: Are there any costs involved with the car impound?

Michael Kramer: It depends on where it’s impounded. If it’s impounded at a private lot usually there are per diem fees involved. If it’s held by the police in a police lot, usually there are no fees.

Drugs vs. Alcohol

Interviewer: Do costs change or if the DWI involves drugs rather than alcohol? Would penalties and costs be different?

Michael Kramer: They would be substantially the same.

Michael Kramer, Esq.

Call for a Free, 20-min,
Traffic Ticket Strategy Session
(914) 709-7161