St. Patrick's Day is a time when many people come together to celebrate their Irish heritage. For those who aren't Irish, the holiday serves as a time to just get together with friends and celebrate for the sake of celebrating. Last weekend also marked a time for increased road patrols and DUI checkpoints by police.
One Virginia county stopped more than 1,500 drivers at a DUI checkpoint last weekend and five of them were arrested and are facing DUI charges. In all 109 people were either arrested or received summonses.
Police also told people who tested over a blood alcohol content of .05 that they couldn't drive home. It's unclear whether those people were arrested or not. If they were arrested, they may be wise to seek the help of an experienced attorney.
DUI charges in Virginia can lead to fines, loss of a license, and embarrassment. It's important that those arrested and charged with DUI understand their rights. While police are responsible for ensuring public safety, they also need to make sure the rights of those accused are preserved. However, sometimes police improperly handle evidence or situations that may lead to a wrongful conviction.
Because drunk driving charges can lead to problems with employment, school disciplinary measures and family problems, it is important that those who are accused are treated fairly. An attorney can help make sure all proper procedures were followed leading up to a person's arrest and ensure that their rights were not violated after an arrest.
Source: WVIR, "St. Patrick's Night Checkpoints Catch Drivers," March 18, 2012
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