36 Questions
What is the maximum number of days a vehicle can be held by a wrecker operator's storage facility without notification to the Sheriff's Office?
5 days
What type of vehicles are the responsibility of the Evidence Control Section?
Seized vehicles, regardless of condition or size
What should be recorded within the MRE Property Module and taken into custody for safekeeping?
Articles of value greater than $300, such as cameras, tools, etc., as well as jewelry, money, and cell phones
When can a Shift Commander authorize a specific wrecker company to handle a call?
When the operational needs of the Sheriff's Office dictate
When is a vehicle considered abandoned on the public right-of-way?
When it is parked for a period exceeding 48 hours in other than designated parking areas
Where should vehicles that are leaking fluids or cannot fit through the door of the Crime Scene Section or Evidence Control Section be taken?
A wrecker service facility
What should be included in the inventory of an impounded vehicle?
All property in the vehicle that does not meet the requirement to impound
How far from the roadway or pavement edge should an abandoned vehicle be to be considered impounded?
Less than 30 feet
What is the requirement for the vehicle to be removed if the registered owner or other legally authorized person arrives at the scene prior to removal?
The owner must pay a reasonable service fee of not more than one-half of the posted rate.
When the operator of a vehicle is arrested, what is the preferred course of action?
Release the vehicle to a person designated by the arrested person.
What is required to be signed by the owner or person responsible for the vehicle when releasing it to a designated person?
The Vehicle Loss or Damage Release Affidavit section of the Waiver Affidavit form.
What is the requirement for a co-owner, spouse, or immediate family member to release a vehicle in a DUI case?
They must show proof of a valid driver's license and not be impaired.
If a deputy receives DHSMV information that the subject's driver license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled, what is the result?
The vehicle is subject to seizure and forfeiture.
Who must approve the placement of a Hold on a vehicle?
The Shift Commander.
What is the responsibility of the deputy requesting the Hold?
To follow up on the Hold status and release the Hold.
How must the Hold extension or placement of a Hold after impound be notified to the wrecker company?
By written notification.
What must be included in the waiver form when releasing a vehicle to a designated person?
All of the above.
What is the requirement for deputies when releasing a Hold?
To document the release in a supplemental report.
The Sheriff's Office can impound vehicles on private property without a court order.
False
The vehicle owner is not allowed to remove the vehicle without interference if they arrive at the scene prior to removal.
False
A vehicle can be released to a person designated by the arrested person if the vehicle is to be seized for evidence or forfeiture.
False
The Vehicle Loss or Damage Release Affidavit section of the Waiver Affidavit form must be signed by the arresting deputy.
False
A Hold can be placed on a vehicle without the approval of the Shift Commander.
False
The deputy requesting the Hold is not responsible for any Hold status follow-up.
False
A vehicle can be impounded in a DUI case if the owner/driver is present and not impaired.
False
A deputy can release a Hold by deleting the Hold status on the Seized/Towed detail page.
False
The wrecker company can extend the Hold on a vehicle without notification to the Sheriff's Office.
False
The waiver form does not require the vehicle information, including the year, make, model, and license number.
False
Vehicles that are leaking fluids or cannot fit through the door of the Crime Scene Section or Evidence Control Section shall be taken to an authorized towing company for processing and storage.
False
Deputies are responsible for inventorying and listing the contents of all impounded vehicles within the MRE General Offense Report.
True
If the next wrecker company on the rotation list for that rotation zone is equipped to handle the call, a Shift Commander may give authorization to summon a specific company.
False
A vehicle is considered abandoned on the public right-of-way if it is parked or stored for more than 24 hours in other than designated parking areas.
False
The Evidence Control Section is responsible for arranging storage for all seized vehicles, including those that are leaking fluids or cannot fit through the door of the Crime Scene Section or Evidence Control Section.
True
A Hold on a motor vehicle stored within a wrecker operator's storage facility can exceed five days, excluding holidays and weekends.
False
Articles of value less than $300, such as cameras, tools, etc., shall be recorded within the MRE Property Module and taken into custody for safekeeping.
False
A vehicle is considered abandoned on the public right-of-way if it is parked or stored for more than 7 days in other than designated parking areas and less than 30 feet from the roadway and pavement edge.
False
Study Notes
Impounded Property and Vehicles
- A hold on a motor vehicle stored within a wrecker operator's storage facility can last up to 5 days, excluding holidays and weekends.
- Vehicles that are leaking fluids or cannot fit through the door of the Crime Scene Section or Evidence Control Section shall be taken to a wrecker service facility for processing and storage.
- Seized vehicles, regardless of condition or size, are the responsibility of the Evidence Control Section.
- The Evidence Control Section shall make arrangements for adequate storage of all seized vehicles.
Inventory and Storage of Impounded Vehicles
- Deputies shall inventory and list the contents of all impounded vehicles within the MRE General Offense Report.
- Inventory shall include property in the vehicle that does not meet the requirement to impound.
- Articles of value greater than $300, such as cameras, tools, etc., as well as jewelry, money, and cell phones, shall be recorded within the MRE Property Module and taken into custody for safekeeping.
Wrecker Company Rotation
- If the next wrecker company on the rotation list is not equipped to handle the call, a Shift Commander may authorize a specific company to handle the call.
- The authorized company must be equipped to handle the type of call.
Abandoned Vehicles
- Abandoned vehicles parked on the public right-of-way for over 48 hours or 10 days in other than designated parking areas can be impounded.
- Vehicles abandoned or improperly parked on private property shall not be impounded by the Sheriff's Office unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Vehicle Release
- If the registered owner or other legally authorized person in control of the vehicle arrives at the scene prior to removal or towing, the vehicle shall be disconnected from the towing or removal apparatus.
- The person shall be allowed to remove the vehicle without interference and pay a reasonable service fee of not more than one-half of the posted rate for such towing service.
- When the operator of a vehicle is arrested, the vehicle can be released to a person designated by the arrested person, unless the vehicle is to be seized for evidence/forfeiture or impounded.
Vehicle Release in DUI Cases
- If the driver of a vehicle in a DUI case is the owner, the vehicle shall be impounded (no Hold) unless a co-owner, spouse, or immediate family member is present, shows proof of a valid driver's license, and is not impaired.
- If the driver's license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled as a result of a prior conviction for driving under the influence, the involved motor vehicle shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture according to Florida Statute 322.34.
Holds on Vehicles
- Holds should be placed on vehicles only when absolutely necessary.
- A Hold may be placed on a vehicle only with the approval of the Shift Commander.
- The held vehicle shall be released to the wrecker or towing service.
- Deputies shall select the appropriate reason and status on the Seized/Towed detail page.
- Deputies can only release Holds by documenting the release of the Hold within a supplemental report and authoring a V-Mail requesting the Records Section update the Vehicle Seized/Towed detail page to reflect the authorization to release the vehicle.
Extension of Hold or Placing Hold after Impound
- If an investigating deputy decides to extend the Hold longer than 5 days, or if after the initial impound, there is a need for a Hold, a District/Division Commander must send written notification to the wrecker company.
- A copy of the letter for Hold shall be emailed to the Records Section for inclusion into the General Offense Report.
- The Seized/Towed detail page, Storage/Hold Information must be updated to reflect the addition of the Hold or the extension of an existing Hold.
Victim Vehicle Impound
- Supervisory approval must be obtained before the vehicle is impounded.
Impounded Property and Vehicles
- A hold on a motor vehicle stored within a wrecker operator's storage facility can last up to 5 days, excluding holidays and weekends.
- Vehicles that are leaking fluids or cannot fit through the door of the Crime Scene Section or Evidence Control Section shall be taken to a wrecker service facility for processing and storage.
- Seized vehicles, regardless of condition or size, are the responsibility of the Evidence Control Section.
- The Evidence Control Section shall make arrangements for adequate storage of all seized vehicles.
Inventory and Storage of Impounded Vehicles
- Deputies shall inventory and list the contents of all impounded vehicles within the MRE General Offense Report.
- Inventory shall include property in the vehicle that does not meet the requirement to impound.
- Articles of value greater than $300, such as cameras, tools, etc., as well as jewelry, money, and cell phones, shall be recorded within the MRE Property Module and taken into custody for safekeeping.
Wrecker Company Rotation
- If the next wrecker company on the rotation list is not equipped to handle the call, a Shift Commander may authorize a specific company to handle the call.
- The authorized company must be equipped to handle the type of call.
Abandoned Vehicles
- Abandoned vehicles parked on the public right-of-way for over 48 hours or 10 days in other than designated parking areas can be impounded.
- Vehicles abandoned or improperly parked on private property shall not be impounded by the Sheriff's Office unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Vehicle Release
- If the registered owner or other legally authorized person in control of the vehicle arrives at the scene prior to removal or towing, the vehicle shall be disconnected from the towing or removal apparatus.
- The person shall be allowed to remove the vehicle without interference and pay a reasonable service fee of not more than one-half of the posted rate for such towing service.
- When the operator of a vehicle is arrested, the vehicle can be released to a person designated by the arrested person, unless the vehicle is to be seized for evidence/forfeiture or impounded.
Vehicle Release in DUI Cases
- If the driver of a vehicle in a DUI case is the owner, the vehicle shall be impounded (no Hold) unless a co-owner, spouse, or immediate family member is present, shows proof of a valid driver's license, and is not impaired.
- If the driver's license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled as a result of a prior conviction for driving under the influence, the involved motor vehicle shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture according to Florida Statute 322.34.
Holds on Vehicles
- Holds should be placed on vehicles only when absolutely necessary.
- A Hold may be placed on a vehicle only with the approval of the Shift Commander.
- The held vehicle shall be released to the wrecker or towing service.
- Deputies shall select the appropriate reason and status on the Seized/Towed detail page.
- Deputies can only release Holds by documenting the release of the Hold within a supplemental report and authoring a V-Mail requesting the Records Section update the Vehicle Seized/Towed detail page to reflect the authorization to release the vehicle.
Extension of Hold or Placing Hold after Impound
- If an investigating deputy decides to extend the Hold longer than 5 days, or if after the initial impound, there is a need for a Hold, a District/Division Commander must send written notification to the wrecker company.
- A copy of the letter for Hold shall be emailed to the Records Section for inclusion into the General Offense Report.
- The Seized/Towed detail page, Storage/Hold Information must be updated to reflect the addition of the Hold or the extension of an existing Hold.
Victim Vehicle Impound
- Supervisory approval must be obtained before the vehicle is impounded.
This quiz covers the Standard Operating Procedure for impounded property and vehicles, including the holding period and release procedures. It also discusses special handling for vehicles that are leaking fluids or cannot fit through certain doors.
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