Avoiding a DUI after Tennessee v. Georgia football
By Michael D. Barber, Georgia Lawyer specializing in DUI, Drug Charges & Criminal Defense
There are a great number of approved tactics for the police to use to stop cars and check for a DUI. One tactic that is the most popular is referred to as a “DUI Checkpoint.” These checkpoints, however, are not actually to check for a DUI. To make the checkpoint be in line with case law, they will disguise these stops as valid license checkpoints or looking for an escaped person.
The most popular time for law enforcement to use these types of stops is over SPECIAL EVENTS such as the Tennessee Volunteers v. The University of Georgia Bulldogs Football game on Saturday November 4, 2022.
It’s important to remember that just because the game isn’t here in Atlanta, that the police will not be out looking for DUIs. Georgia State Patrol and the local police stations all use any and every special event to monitor the roads for DUIs even more.
On November 4, 2022 the Georgia State Patrol and Georgia Department of Public Safety broadcast every hour over social media that they would be looking for DUI violations (and don’t drink and drive).
Avoiding a DUI at DUI checkpoints in Atlanta after special events
Law enforcement does various analyzations and have determined that, when there are special events, there is a rise in DUI activity (among other charges). There are also other tactics that they employ when there are special events that can give rise to possible problems that the police face in “administering” to the law.
However for the DUI, these interactions with checkpoints, or a DUI arrest, can happen from visiting a game day party after leaving either the game itself, a bar or a friend’s house. Now is not the time to let your guard down or to not monitor your beverage intake at these events.
Almost all police use DUI checkpoints in some form. The scenario usually folds out as follows…
- As you are driving you see blue lights ahead.
- As you approach the lights, you see what looks like a parking lot with multiple drivers stopped and officers are directing traffic.
- Surprise, you have come upon a DUI Checkpoint.
- This “tool” allows the police to stop a vehicle for any “legal” reason and their investigation can lead to a DUI if they even think the driver has been drinking or using drugs.
These checkpoints, in this situation, may result in an arrest for a DUI. It doesn’t matter where you find yourself, these evaluations are thorough and the interaction can result in a DUI (even though you tried avoiding a DUI). You can literally be anywhere and end up participating in these DUI Checkpoints.
There is also a lot of participation across departments for these checkpoints. Especially in Atlanta, you may find the Atlanta Police participating with the Georgia State Patrol DUI taskforce (or “GSP nighthawks”). Keep in mind that these “DUI Teams” can also work together or alone for these checkpoints.
DUI charges after football games and other special events
Georgia State Patrol has determined that with certain events, in particular sporting events, they see an increase in the arrests for DUI. Football is synonymous with tailgating, beer and celebrating. This day involves quite a bit of drinking and the parties that go along with it are usually occasions that everyone remembers.
Some people, however, end up remembering more than just a good party (even though you tried avoiding a DUI).
With everything that goes on, some either lose track or don’t keep count of their alcohol intake. With police being aggressive, or more aggressive, for Driving Under the Influence arrests, it means that more people are finding themselves the subject of a late-night rendezvous with the police.
As a result of the Governor’s office of Highway Safety teaming up with various organizations, including the HEAT and TEAM division of local counties, the cops are cracking down on impaired driving.
What to do after a DUI arrest in Atlanta
If you have been accused by the police of driving under the influence this weekend, especially after the SEC Game or any other day, then you need help from a trained DUI attorney in Atlanta.
Should YOU find that you either don’t want to face the court alone or simply feel that you need help from a DUI attorney, then give our office a call.
There are facts to every case where defenses can be raised for anyone charged with driving under the influence (even though you tried avoiding a DUI). Each situation is different from the other and requires an evaluation of all the information in order to properly mount a defense and an effective negotiation with the prosecutor’s office.
Remember that every DUI case is different because no two sets of facts are the same. Application of the above case law to your situation would take examination of the facts surrounding your case and applying this case law properly to create a properly mounted defense for YOUR arrest.
Our office has 24-hour response phone lines and can answer your questions and help you. Give our team of DUI defense lawyers a call at 404-445-8494. We can help you mount a proper defense for your situation.
