When a family member gets arrested in Tulsa, the first questions are usually about bail. But right behind that comes a very practical concern: where is their phone? What happened to their car? Are their belongings safe? These questions matter because the answers affect your finances, your privacy, and how quickly you can get back to normal life after release.
Signature Bail Bonds has posted bonds in Tulsa County since 2006. We help families through the entire process, from bail to release to getting everything back. This article explains exactly what happens to personal property and vehicles when someone is arrested in Tulsa and what families can do to protect those belongings.
What Happens to Your Personal Items at David L. Moss?
During booking at David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center, officers search the defendant and take all personal items. This includes your wallet, cash, phone, keys, jewelry, watch, belt, shoelaces, and anything else in your pockets or on your person. Officers log every item on a property receipt. The defendant receives a copy of this receipt, which they will need to reclaim their property after release.
Items are stored in the DLM property room for the duration of the defendant’s time in custody. Cash may be deposited into the inmate’s trust account, which can be used for commissary purchases while in custody.
Certain items may be separated as evidence if they are connected to the charges. For example, if someone is arrested for drug possession, any cash found on them may be placed into evidence rather than stored with their personal property. Items held as evidence follow a separate process and may not be returned until the case is fully resolved.
How Do You Get Personal Property Back After Release?
When the defendant is released from David L. Moss (either on bail or after the case concludes), they can pick up their belongings from the property room. To retrieve personal property, contact the DLM property room at (918) 596-8872. You will need to present the property receipt and a valid photo ID.
If the defendant cannot pick up their own property (for example, if they are transferred to another facility or need someone else to collect it), a family member or friend can retrieve the items with written authorization from the defendant and their own valid ID.
The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Property Room is located at 6094 E 66th St N, Tulsa, OK. It is open Tuesday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The property room closes from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day for lunch.
What Happens to Your Car When You Get Arrested in Tulsa?
What happens to your vehicle depends on the circumstances of the arrest. There are three common outcomes:
The Officer Lets Someone Else Take It
If a sober, licensed passenger is in the car at the time of arrest, or if a friend or family member can come to the scene quickly, the officer may allow that person to drive the vehicle away. This is the best outcome and avoids impound fees entirely. Officers have discretion here, and it is more likely for minor, non-violent charges.
The Car Gets Towed and Impounded
If no one is available to take custody of the vehicle, or if the arrest involves charges like DUI or driving on a suspended license, the officer will call a contracted tow company to impound the vehicle. Under Oklahoma Statutes Title 47, Section 955, officers can tow a vehicle when the driver is arrested and no one present can lawfully take custody of it.
Before the tow truck arrives, officers conduct an inventory search of the vehicle. They document the car’s condition and log all personal property inside. This protects the owner’s property and protects the department against theft claims.
The Car Is Held as Evidence
In rare cases, the vehicle itself is evidence in the investigation (for example, in a hit-and-run or a vehicle used in a crime). In this situation, the car is held by law enforcement until it is no longer needed. This can take weeks or months depending on the case.
How Do You Get Your Car Out of Impound in Tulsa?
To retrieve an impounded vehicle in Tulsa, follow these steps:
- Find out where the car was towed. Call the arresting agency’s non-emergency line. For Tulsa County, call the Sheriff’s Office at (918) 596-5600. For Tulsa city arrests, call the Tulsa Police non-emergency line. They will tell you which tow company has the vehicle.
- Call the tow company. Confirm their hours, the total amount owed, and what forms of payment they accept.
- Bring the right documents. You will need a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration or title, proof of current auto insurance, and verification from the arresting agency that the vehicle has no holds.
- Pay the fees. Expect a tow fee (often $200 or more) plus daily storage fees that can run $35 to $50 per day. Every day the car sits in the lot costs more money.
This is one of the biggest reasons getting out of jail quickly matters. A defendant who posts bail the same day might pay $200 in tow and one day of storage. A defendant who sits in jail for five days before posting bail could owe $400 to $500 just to get their car back.
What About Your Home and Other Property?
Law enforcement’s responsibility is limited to securing the premises at the time of arrest (locking the door, for example). They are not responsible for the contents of your home while you are in custody. If you are renting, your lease obligations continue while you are in jail. Missing rent payments can lead to eviction proceedings.
Getting out on bail quickly gives the defendant time to secure their home, arrange for someone to handle bills and responsibilities, and prevent a short-term arrest from turning into a long-term financial disaster. Signature Bail Bonds offers zero down bail bonds and 0% interest financing so the cost of bail does not add to the financial strain.
How a Fast Bail Bond Protects Your Property
Every day in jail is a day your car racks up impound fees, your bills go unpaid, and your belongings sit in a property room. A bail bond in Tulsa gets you out the same day in most cases. Release from David L. Moss typically takes 2 to 6 hours after the bond is posted. Once released, you can immediately retrieve your personal items, get your car out of impound, and take care of everything the arrest disrupted.
Call Signature Bail Bonds at 918-SIGNOUT (918-744-6688) any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer payment plans and zero down options for qualifying cosigners. The sooner you call, the less your belongings cost you. You can also start through our online bail bond application.
