Orange County Cracks Down on Driving Under the Influence Drivers
Orange County continues to reinforce their commitment to crack down on individuals who drive under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
As they do every year, Orange County law enforcement agencies began their “Avoid Campaign” during the holiday season with their DUI task forces out in full force. It began on December 15, 2014 with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department searching out high risk DUI offenders with outstanding arrest warrants. Individuals who either failed to show up for their court date or who had violated the terms of their probation were sought out and arrested.
The Sheriff’s Department, and Sheriff’s Department’s Special DUI Warrant Service Operations, places a high priority on lowering deaths and injury with their DUI Task Forces, which includes searching neighborhoods for individuals with outstanding warrants.
As they also do every year, DUI check points were set up throughout Orange County during the holiday season. It is not yet known how many DUI arrests were made as a result of the checkpoints but, since the campaign began, the numbers seem to be slowly coming down as the word gets around about Orange County’s hard approach toward individuals who drive while intoxicated.
One DUI checkpoint in Mission Viejo netted 23 arrests. The checkpoint began on Friday, December 19th, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity to achieve drunk and drugged driving deterrence. It has been shown that these checkpoints lower DUI deaths and injuries by bringing more awareness and encouraging individuals to designate sober drivers.
The results of the Mission Viejo, December 19th checkpoint are as follows:
- 690 Vehicles screened
- 3 DUI-Alcohol impaired suspects arrested
- 20 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended or revoked
- 4 Vehicles towed for storage or impound
Orange County will continue to conduct these DUI Checkpoints, Saturation Patrols and DUI Warrant Operations, as it is believed that they are a deterrent to driving while under the influence. This is not only during the holiday season, but also throughout the year. They do step it up a bit during holidays and the summer months however, knowing that more people come to Orange County to visit and party during these times.
Because Orange County has special task forces devoted solely to DUI, it is no surprise that the number of individuals who are arrested in Orange County, whether residents or otherwise, is quite high.
Many people believe that if they are arrested for DUI, there is nothing that can be done about it. But, while in some situations this is true, that determination is best left to the experts, a DUI Defense lawyer in Orange County.
What most don’t know is that, DUI checkpoints have strict guidelines that they must follow. An experienced DUI defense attorney will be familiar with these guidelines and will be able to determine whether or not the stop and arrest is legal.
As with any stop by a law enforcement officer, there has to have been a reason to be pulled over. Officers are no legally allowed to just pull someone over because they are driving at 1:00 a.m.; there must be reasonable cause to do so.
There are many things to be considered if you have been arrested for DUI from the stop to the type of test performed. For this reason, if you or a loved one has been arrested fro DUI, it is extremely important to consult with an experienced DUI defense attorney to determine whether or not your rights have been violated.