Vehicle Forfeiture Attorneys in Minnesota

What Happens to Your Car When You Get a DWI in Minnesota?

If you’re wondering what happens to your car when you get a DUI or DWI, the answer depends on the circumstances of the arrest and your impaired-driving history. Not every Minnesota DWI results in vehicle forfeiture. Minnesota law limits forfeiture to vehicles connected to certain designated DWI offenses or qualifying license revocations.

When a vehicle is subject to forfeiture, law enforcement may seize it and place it in the custody of the appropriate agency while the forfeiture process moves forward. Vehicle forfeiture is separate from the criminal DWI prosecution, which is one reason it is important to understand and respond to both matters.

What Does Forfeiting a Car Mean?

Forfeiting a car means permanently losing your ownership interest in the vehicle through the legal forfeiture process. This is different from temporarily having a vehicle towed or impounded.

If the government successfully completes the forfeiture, the vehicle may ultimately be sold or otherwise disposed of as permitted by Minnesota law. Before that happens, however, vehicle owners and others with qualifying interests may have legal options to challenge the forfeiture or seek return of the vehicle.

What Happens to Seized Vehicles?

After seizure, the appropriate agency takes custody of the vehicle and may move it to a designated location, place it under seal, or use a disabling device. Owners may also have an opportunity to seek possession of a seized vehicle before the forfeiture case is resolved by providing security or posting a bond equal to the vehicle’s retail value.

There are also circumstances in which a forfeiture proceeding may be stayed and the vehicle returned, including qualifying participation in Minnesota’s ignition interlock program. Because the available options depend on the circumstances, acting quickly after receiving a notice of seizure and intent to forfeit can be important.

Does Your Car Get Impounded for Drink Driving?

A DWI arrest does not automatically mean that your vehicle will be permanently forfeited. Whether your car gets impounded for drink driving and whether it ultimately becomes subject to forfeiture are separate questions. A vehicle may be towed following an arrest without necessarily being forfeited under Minnesota law.

If your vehicle has been seized following a DWI arrest, a Minnesota vehicle forfeiture attorney can determine why it was seized, whether it qualifies for forfeiture, and what options may be available to challenge the action or obtain its return.

Sieben Edmunds Miller represents drivers facing DWI and vehicle forfeiture matters throughout the Twin Cities, including people looking for a vehicle forfeiture lawyer in Apple Valley or a vehicle forfeiture lawyer in Dakota County, MN. Addressing the forfeiture promptly can help protect both your vehicle and your rights while the underlying DWI case proceeds.