Arizona DUI Enforcement Crackdown Over Labor Day
It’s Labor Day and for police across the state it means heightened DUI efforts. Far from unusual, holiday weekends are a popular time for drinking and driving and for police to get some arrests made. Whether you’re in Tucson or Phoenix, expect both local and state agencies to be out in full force.
Even if you don’t have plans to party this holiday weekend, two or three drinks at a cookout can be just enough to put you over the legal limit. Many people wouldn’t consciously break DUI laws but many people underestimate their intoxication levels when getting behind the wheel.
Saturation Patrols and DUI checkpoints target holiday drinkers on Labor Day and a variety of other popular holidays. Fourth of July, New Years Eve, and Memorial Day Weekend are other big ones. Depending on jurisdiction, many communities involve law enforcement from multiple agencies working together to bust drunk drivers. The federal government regularly provides additional funding to local law enforcement for DUI patrols as part of the national Over the Limit Under Arrest campaign..
Police are always over eager to arrest suspected drunk drivers. This is even truer at checkpoints. Although their main concern is DUI, they will arrest you for license plate violations and warrants at these stops as well. Their overzealous behavior has even been known to cause some arrests of people who haven’t been drinking at all.
In Arizona, DUI laws are designed to protect the roadways, sometimes at the risk of criminalizing people who don’t deserve criminal charges. In other words, these laws are tough. For your first DUI offense you are looking at jail time, fines, probation, and a mandatory ignition interlock device.
An even harsher penalty is reserved for people who have a blood alcohol level of more than .15%. This is nearly twice the legal limit of .08% and though it’s considered a misdemeanor as well, the punishment can be much harsher.
Often the entire case against a suspected drunk driver is based on the results of a breathalyzer test. When this is the case, we can challenge those results in court. They are known to give false readings and officer training can also be a factor.
If you have an otherwise clean record, we may be able to negotiate a positive plea agreement with the prosecution as well.
Knowing your rights when you are facing DUI charges, whether it’s Labor Day or any other day, is critical. That’s what a defense attorney is for. If you’re facing charges like these, contact me today.
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