DUI Arrests During the Holiday Season

During the holiday season in Denver, there are various occasions for consuming alcohol before traveling home again. Whether you are attending a work function or a holiday gathering with friends and family, drinks tend to be commonplace. It is critical to know that law enforcement officials also know that alcohol consumption tends to rise during the holiday season, usually from the days before Thanksgiving through Christmas and the New Year. Indeed, according to the Colorado State Patrol, “the festive season brings an increase in impaired driving accidents,” and with that information in mind, law enforcement officials are often in greater abundance with an eye toward making arrests for driving while ability impaired (DWAI) and driving under the influence (DUI).

Be Aware of DUI Checkpoints Around the Holidays

During the holiday season, many local law enforcement agencies take part in what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describes as a “national high-visibility enforcement campaign that focuses on the consequences of drunk driving” called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” For law enforcement agencies that specifically participate, as well as those aware of this and similar programs, DUI checkpoints are common.

Nighttime driving is particularly targeted, according to the NHTSA, with many law enforcement initiatives put in place to assess motorists on the roads after dark. Law enforcement officers and local initiatives often focus on specific days, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, when statistics suggest that intoxicated driving is especially frequent.

It is important for drivers in Colorado to know that sobriety checkpoints in the state are legal, and to also know that drivers have the same rights at these checkpoints that they would if they were otherwise stopped by the police. You do not have to answer questions about your drinking, and you do not need to consent to a search of your vehicle or your person. Law enforcement officials cannot search your car without probable cause unless you give consent.

Defending Against DWAI or DUI Charges in Denver

In the event you are arrested for a DWAI or DUI during the holidays, you may have multiple options for defending against the charges, such as:

• Violation of your constitutional rights during the vehicle stop;
• Defective breathalyzer method or results; or
• You were not actually impaired or intoxicated according to Colorado law.

Contact a Denver DUI Defense Lawyer to Get Started on Your Defense Today

Nobody wants to face a DWAI or DUI arrest during the holiday season, especially when a conviction can result in jail time or repercussions to your livelihood. If you or a partner were arrested for intoxicated driving, it is critical to begin working with a lawyer on your defense as soon as possible. Although rates of both intoxicated driving collisions and DWAI and DUI arrests may increase during the holiday season, we can help you to build a strong defense in order to avoid a conviction. Do not hesitate to get in touch with an experienced Denver DWAI and DUI defense attorney at DeChant Law for assistance. This holiday season should not end in a DWAI or DUI conviction, and we can help you to fight the charges you are facing. Contact our firm today for more information about how we can assist you.

Sources:

csp.colorado.gov/press-release/duis-during-the-holidays

trafficsafetymarketing.gov/safety-topics/drunk-driving/drive-sober-or-get-pulled-over/winter-holidays