The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department recently kicked off a “Booze It or Loose It” campaign and this one is set to coincide with the year’s Halloween festivities. The purpose of the new enforcement effort is to crack down on drunk drivers during what can be a busy season. The campaign will be in effect until the day after Halloween and indications are the police will round up hundreds of drivers.
Numbers are in for the first few nights of the drunk driving enforcement push and the CMPD has said that they set up a DWI checkpoint on the 4900 block of Providence Road. The checkpoint was only in place for five hours yet it managed to produce 53 arrests, 8 of which were on DWI charges.
If you ever find yourself caught up in such a checkpoint there are some important tips to remember. First, place both hands on the steering wheel in plain view of the officers. It’s important that officers see that you do not pose a threat to them. Second, be nice and cooperative as there is no reason antagonizing the officer, it will only exacerbate your situation.
Next, remember not to make any unnecessary statements. When you are pulled over the officer will ask for your license and registration as well as some basic personal information. All of this is fine to give them. However, as more specific questions that relate to drinking are asked, it’s time to remember your right to keep quiet. Don’t be rude, but politely tell the officer that you have been advised not to answer such questions and that you would like to exercise your right not to.
If the officer continues the investigation, field sobriety tests are next. It’s important to know that you do not have to take these tests. If you refuse to take them, the fact that you refused may be used against you at trial, but you will not lose your license for refusing to take a field sobriety test. If you do decide to take the tests, make sure to listen to the instructions and follow them carefully. Any failure to follow the instructions will be used against you as a sign that you are impaired.
Finally, when deciding what to do about submitting to a breathalyzer, the answer requires some thought on your part. If you refuse to blow into the machine, the State of North Carolina will revoke your driver’s license for one year. This one-year suspension is not lifted even if you win your case in court. While a refusal to submit to the test will make the State’s case harder to prove, it may also leave you unable to drive for an extended period of time if convicted.
If you’ve been caught up in a situation that requires the help of a skilled North Carolina criminal defense lawyer, you can turn to the attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC (http://www.arnoldsmithlaw.com/) who will provide you with the best possible defense against any charges brought against you. For a free consultation, please contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today at (704) 370-2828.
Source: “Police Makes Arrests In Booze It Or Lose It Campaign,” published at FoxCharlotte.com.
http://www.foxcharlotte.com/news/local/Police-Makes-Arrests-InBooze-It-Or-Lose-It-Campaign-176118381.html
See Our Related Blog Posts:
Mecklenburg County Sees Thousands of Arrests During “Booze It & Loose It” Campaign
https://www.charlottecriminallawyer-blog.com/2012/09/mecklenburg-county-sees-thousa.html
Drive Sober North Carolina Campaign In Force Over Labor Day Weekend
https://www.charlottecriminallawyer-blog.com/2012/08/drive-sober-north-carolina-cam.html