Fresno police are getting in on the St. Patrick's Day weekend festivities: Police plan to randomly monitor bars and restaurants in the hunt for drunk drivers, the Fresno Bee reported.
If you are charged with drunk driving this weekend, please contact a Fresno DUI defense lawyer right away; this kind of proactive enforcement frequently leads to marginal or unfair arrests. And the law enforcement monitoring of people out having a good time is a dangerous gray area that illustrates the risk of a motorist's rights being violated. Police must have probable cause to stop you for drunk driving and probable cause to request that your take field sobriety tests or breathalyzer examinations.
When such probable cause is not present -- or is as dubious as an officer watching people celebrating in a restaurant -- a Fresno DUI charge may not survive an aggressive defense.
St. Patrick's Day began as a religious holiday in the 17th Century; today it is one of the most popular secular holidays of the year. In fact, it is among the busiest days in the nation at restaurants and bars and is a leading day for alcohol consumption.
Police will also be conducting roving patrols and DUI checkpoints. As we reported last year on our Fresno Criminal Lawyer Blog, Fresno leads the nation in the number of DUI checkpoints conducted each year. Motorists have additional legal grounds upon which to contest such cases; consulting an experienced and aggressive defense lawyer in Fresno is your best option.
The Bee reports 42 motorists were stopped and charged with drunk driving during a pair of recent DUI checkpoints. KMJ Now reports that AAA will be offering its Tipsy Tow service, which transports a motorist home along with his or her car. Call 800-AAA-HELP.
If you are facing drunk driving charges in Fresno, contact the Law Offices of Michael E. Mitchell for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 559-222-2424. SE HABLA ESPANOL.
