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** NEWS RELEASE **
September 16, 2009


Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office Releases First Quarter DWI Seizure Statistics.

Undersheriff Robert Garcia announces the latest statistics for the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office DWI Vehicle Forfeiture Law. Under Santa Fe County Statutes a vehicle may be seized upon the third arrest for DWI or if the person driving is caught doing so while their driver’s license is revoked for a DWI arrest.

The Sheriff’s Office seized the first vehicle on May 22, 2009 and through September 16, 2009 deputies have seized 33 vehicles. Of these 4 have been forfeited, 12 were placed on Vehicle Boots for 30 days at the cost of the owners, 12 cases are still pending resolution, and 5 have been released to the owners with signed contracts which call for immediate forfeiture if the same drivers are found to be driving DWI or on a Revoked License in the same vehicle (innocent owner provision).

The vehicles forfeited so far include a 1995 Nissan Sentra, a 1989 Mazda Protégé, a 1993 Nissan Sentra, and a 1988 Honda Prelude. These vehicles and any others forfeited in the future will be sold at auction. Monies from the program after paying program costs will go towards DWI Prevention and Enforcement efforts.

The program so far has raised $6493.90 in fees, no cars have yet been auctioned however at least 4 are pending auction. Owners of vehicles seized pay a Hearing fee of $100, a boot fee of $600 if the car is booted for 30 days and actual tow fees. Storage fees may be added if a vehicle is not picked up within 24 hours of it being released to the owner.

Undersheriff Robert Garcia states “ The Sheriff’s Office is committed to using the DWI Seizure program as a strong tool to keep repeat offenders off the road and provide real sanctions for those who continue to drive drunk.” Undersheriff Garcia also adds “The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office was the first agency in Northern New Mexico to implement this program and I am proud of the staff and deputies who have worked hard to get the program under way, train deputies and begin seizing cars.” “The program has not undergone any legal challenges and I think this is a true testament to the care we took in implementing it correctly.”