Avoiding a DUI Arrest over the July 4th Weekend
By Michael D. Barber, Georgia Lawyer specializing in DUI, Drug Charges & Criminal Defense
With everything that has happened in 2022 and the recent restrictions almost completely easing up, drivers need to be even more cautious of a DUI arrest while celebrating our nation’s National Holiday.
The pandemic is still ongoing, but that isn’t stopping any of the DUI task force officers with Georgia State Patrol (GSP Nighthawks, Duluth DUI, Norcross DUI, Roswell DUI, Sandy Springs DUI, Johns Creek DUI, Alpharetta DUI, Milton DUI, Atlanta DUI, Gwinnett County DUI, Decatur DUI, Brookhaven DUI, Dunwoody DUI) from making arrests for a DUI.
With everything that is going on it may be difficult to remember to keep track of your drinks or even worry about it. However, these officers on the road are still out looking for DUI drivers, especially on this July 4th weekend.
Factors in a DUI arrest
All police use some of the various available charges to stop a vehicle, and both Speeding and Failure to Maintain lane are “violations” that will typically leads to a DUI investigation.
The scenario… usually you are driving, see blue lights and the officer details the reason for stopping you (or pulling you over) is that he “saw your wheels cross over the line of your lane” or the more famous question from the officer “do you know how fast you were going?” (Like we are going to confess, “sure officer I was speeding!”)
These two charges of Failure to Maintain Lane and Speeding are found in a high percentage of the stops for DUI arrests in Georgia and many times they are found together. Couple this with an inability to remember the actual number of drinks you have and you are in the middle of a perfect storm for the officer investigating the DUI stop.
A few DUI statistics in Georgia
Georgia State Patrol reported that last year there were 321 DUI arrests (compared to 309 in 2020) and (9 deaths compared to 10 the year before). Keep in mind that the holiday weekend is 78 hours this year compared to 58 the year before. The patrol stated that many of the DUI investigations came from around Atlanta (Fulton and DeKalb County), Cobb County, and Suwanee (Gwinnett County).
It doesn’t matter where you find yourself in Georgia almost all of the police forces use this common charge to begin a DUI investigation including: Johns Creek Police, Alpharetta Police, Milton Police, DeKalb County Police, City of Decatur Police, Atlanta, Police Gwinnett County Police and the list goes on. This “tool” allows the police to stop a vehicle for any “legal” reason and their investigation can lead to a DUI if they suspect the driver has been drinking or using drugs.
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.
Accused of DUI in Georgia?
If you have been accused by the police of driving under the influence (or are dealing with a DUI arrest), then you need help from a trained DUI attorney.
Should YOU find that you either don’t want to face the court alone or simply feel that you need help from an attorney then give our office a call regarding your citations. There are facts to every case where defenses can be raised for anyone charged with driving under the influence.
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 not 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 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.
https://dps.georgia.gov/nighthawks-dui-task-force
GSP info on July 4 one year ago
