Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog
North Carolina Booze it and Lose it Campaign
Drinking and driving is the cause of many accidents with injuries and fatalities. North Carolina has put a statewide “Booze It and Lose It” campaign in place to combat potential drunk driving. The campaign is in place this year, and extra efforts are being put in place for holiday periods. The program puts more law enforcement in place during times of possible increased drinking and driving. As a result of increased police efforts, there may be an increase in drivers who have been charged with DUI. An experienced criminal defense attorney will assist you in defending DUI charges in North Carolina.
Booze it and Lose it
The Booze It and Lose It campaign is a program by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). The program is in place to promote safe driving, particularly during peak holiday travel times. During holiday periods, law enforcement gears up to promote safe driving and prevent DUIs. In addition to extra law enforcement on duty, the police often establish sobriety checkpoints in strategic locations.
What are Sobriety Checkpoints?
A sobriety checkpoint is a tool that law enforcement utilizes to detect DUI in drivers. The checkpoint is a physical barrier or area that police set up on a specific roadway. Police stop vehicles and engage with the drivers to determine whether they may be impaired. If police suspect possible impairment, they will conduct further investigation of the driver. This may include roadside field sobriety tests as well as breath tests. If a driver is not impaired, they will be allowed to continue on their way. If a DUI is suspected, the driver may be detained or arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Are Sobriety Checkpoints Legal?
Sobriety checkpoints are allowed by law as long as they follow the requirements. Generally, law enforcement must provide details of the checkpoint ahead of time through their office. They must also follow specific guidelines. This includes the location, duration, and procedures for the checkpoint. For example, they may set up a checkpoint that will check every third vehicle. They must then abide by this rule and cannot check other vehicles that do not fall under the parameters. In other words, the police cannot be selective or subjective when checking vehicles for driver sobriety.
Compliance at Sobriety Checkpoints
Drivers are required to comply with law enforcement at a sobriety checkpoint. The checkpoint is similar to any other traffic stop. You must provide your driver’s license and any other information when the officer makes a request. It is also important to note that you should not turn around to avoid a checkpoint. Law enforcement may take this as a sign that you have something to hide, and an officer may make a traffic stop. If you have been charged with DUI as a result of a sobriety checkpoint or traffic stop, there are some ways to defend the charges. A qualified criminal defense attorney will assist you in protecting your rights and will vigorously fight the charges.
Talk to our experienced legal team at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to discuss your DUI charges today.
The criminal defense attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC make it their mission to zealously defend their clients on a wide range of criminal matters at both the state and federal levels. These matters may include any charge from traffic offenses; DWI/DUI; drug charges (from simple possession to possession with intent to distribute and trafficking); gun permit denials; weapons offenses; and property crimes (larceny, breaking and entering, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, white collar offenses); to sexually related offenses (indecent exposure; sexual assault, crimes against nature, removal from sex offender registry); and violent crimes (domestic violence; assault; manslaughter; homicide, murder). Other legal issues that Arnold & Smith, PLLC criminal clients may be facing include restraining orders, restraining order and probation violations, expungements; appeals; and immigration issues related to criminal charges. Our criminal defense attorneys are passionate about ensuring that individuals empower themselves by being informed about their constitutional rights, and stand at the ready to fight in the defense of those facing criminal charges.
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