Complications Of A DUI Arrest While On Vacation Out-Of-State
Posted on: 30 June 2017
Vacations are how most people relieve stress by slowing down and spending time with their family. Sometimes, vacations involve going a bit overboard with alcohol consumption when celebrating time away from the hustle and bustle of a demanding, high-stress job. While the partying individual is having a great time, his or her loved ones are hoping the self-destructive behavior doesn't put a damper on the vacation.
Of course, as Murphy's Law would have it, the worst possible things happen at the worst possible times, which would perfectly describe a DUI arrest while driving a rental car on vacation. Here's what you need to know if your dream vacation ends up a nightmare because your significant other got arrested for a DUI.
Bailing Your Loved One Out of Jail
Even though you would be on vacation, you can still bail your loved one out of jail as an out-of-state resident. However, since you wouldn't have easy access to land records, it may not be easy for you to use your real estate property as collateral for a bail bond. Fortunately, most bail bond services accept credit cards for payment.
If your loved one has a propensity for drinking and getting behind the wheel, be sure to keep a credit card on hand that isn't in jeopardy of reaching the available credit limit. However, if necessary the bail bond service may allow you to use multiple credit cards, if necessary. Click for more info on court bail bond services.
Complications of Being Arrested as an Out-of-State Resident
Another thing that is important to understand about dealing with a criminal arrest out of state is that your loved one will still be required to appear in court on their court date and could get arrested for failure to appear if they do not. This would be a bench warrant that would be issued in the state where the arrest was made as well as in the state where the home of record is, which is generally determined by the address on the driver's license.
Of course, part of the requirements of being released on bail may be for your loved one to remain in the immediate area and not return home at all until after their court date when it's determined whether or not they'll be required to serve time in jail. If that is the outcome of their case, they may be able to get a transfer to a jail back home, but after their court appearance. Until then, you may need to prolong your vacation, so be sure to have the financial means to do so.
Problems You May Face with the Rental Car
If your loved one is arrested for a DUI while driving a rental car, the rental car will be towed to an impound lot. The police will contact the rental car company to inform them of the situation. If your loved one is the only driver listed on the rental car agreement, you will not be permitted to get the car out of the impound lot. If you were also listed on the rental car agreement, it doesn't automatically mean that you will be able to continue using the rental car.
More than likely, you will not be able to continue using the rental car for your vacation. However, if your name is on the rental car agreement, the rental car company will be able to release to you any personal items and belongings that were in the car at the time of the arrest. Otherwise, if your loved one's name is the only name on the rental car agreement, you will need to wait to get your personal belongings from the rental car until after he or she is released from jail with a bail bond.
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