Fresno Criminal Lawyer Blog

As we have recently gotten through Thanksgiving, survived Black Friday and now turn toward the winter holiday season, our Fresno DUI defense attorneys wish your family a happy holiday season.

And we offer a bit of advice -- stay safe this holiday season and avoid an unwanted arrest by police who will be seeking to make DUI arrests in Fresno with stepped up patrols, sobriety checkpoints and other tactics.

This is a busy season for law enforcement statewide. Fresh off of a multiple-day enforcement period around Thanksgiving, local and state law enforcement agencies will be back at it before Christmas until New Year's, trying to make as many arrests as possible.

Not only can being charged with DUI ruin a person's day, it can damage their reputation and subject them to possible penalties in California that can lead to serious problems, including jail time, probation, fines and fees, alcohol education programs and other sanctions.

An arrest can cause financial problems, stress at home, embarrassment and other issues, so fighting back is the only option. In many cases, elements of the state's case can be scrutinized. Breath testing has been proven to be faulty because of poor manufacturing or improper maintenance by officers. Field sobriety test results may be challenged based on physical or weather conditions or other proof that a driver didn't fail as officers say they did.

DUI is obviously a crime that anyone can commit, usually not intentionally. The head of the Federal Aviation Administration resigned after he was initially put on leave following a DUI arrest in Virginia, CNN reported.

He was allegedly caught traveling on the wrong side of the road by police. He was released without bail and later resigned. According to the news article, Randy Babbitt, 65, is a veteran pilot who flew for 25 years and became administrator in 2009.

This shows that anyone can be charged with the crime, even those who have a lot at stake. Losing a job, losing a reputation or having family problems are all things that can happen on top of what a judge can sentence.

And, if the California Highway Patrol has its way, many judges will be handing down sentences to drivers caught in their DUI traps this holiday season.

According to the San Jose Mercury News, the state law enforcement agency arrested 1,350 drivers on suspicion of driving under the influence this year during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. That number is actually down from the 1,419 who were arrested last year. There were 21 traffic-related deaths this holiday season compared to 12 last year. And those numbers don't include local law enforcement arrests.

Be safe this holiday season and be aware that police will be out looking for drivers they can charge with DUI. Take precautions to avoid this serious situation by getting a ride, a taxi, the bus or an alternative to drinking and driving. If you are arrested, call immediately.