Settling Drunk Driving Matters with the Help of a Raleigh DWI Lawyer

Holidays may be a good time to let loose and celebrate, but get behind the wheel having had one drink too many and you could end up in jail. The North Carolina Transportation Department and the Governor’s Highway Safety Program reported that approximately 1,800 arrests from driving while impaired (DWI) were made under the Operation Firecracker anti-drunk driving campaign in the week before and after the 2013 Fourth of July celebrations. Seven counties that assembled special DWI task forces took credit for 455 arrests, opening opportunities for other counties to seek state funding for such measures in the future.

The success of the campaign highlighted the danger of DWI during important public holidays. Raleigh, NC has its share of motor vehicle-based criminal violations ranging from driving without seatbelts to grand larceny of a motor vehicle. The high number of arrests made during the campaign, however, also raises questions about whether some arrests were made without following proper procedures. This underlines the need for a skilled Raleigh DWI lawyer like the team at Kurtz & Blum, PLLC.

In Wake county, we received numerous requests for help after the holiday weekend. In addition to calls about DWI arrests, we also received a larger than the normal number of calls for help with a variety of traffic-related issues, such as speeding, as well as help with outstanding warrants.

It is never a good idea to drink and drive, especially if during popular holidays like the 4th of July. If you are flagged down at a DWI checkpoint, there is a possibility that the supervising officer may ask you to take sobriety tests, but you can still refuse to do so. Further insistence on the officer’s part despite total sobriety on yours can be added ammunition to argue before the judge.

Checkpoints like those set up during Operation Firecracker may or may not be properly authorized and have an action plan behind them. Being stopped at a checkpoint where the officers do not have operational guidelines are extra materials to justify possible unlawful-arrest angles in your DWI case. Miranda Rights do apply in DWI when you are arrested; your lawyer can advise you not to answer any questions about your drinking habits—even a 1-10 impairment scale is actually a trick question.

The Operation Firecracker arrest figures also included instances of speeding and reckless driving, but do not indicate whether DWI is also a factor in these cases. A DWI lawyer will still help out by acquiring your traffic records and determining what angle to pursue in the courtroom. The officers’ conduct during the arrest may also factor into the case.

Also, there is a lot of pressure on law enforcement officers to generate results during these high-traffic campaigns. They are more likely to cut corners and not follow proper procedures. Those arrested during these crackdowns need to speak with an experienced attorney to ensure their case is reviewed properly. The chances of having a case dismissed or striking a plea bargain are greater than at other times of the year due to the high volume of cases.

For anyone who receives a DWI, the knowledgeable team at Kurtz & Blum, PLLC will use all avenues to give you a fighting chance in the courtroom. Keep in mind these task force initiatives are only going to grow, be sure to follow defensive driving guidelines when you’re out on the streets during a public holiday.