Those who plan on being in certain parts of New York on St. Patrick’s Day should expect an increased police presence aimed at keeping drunk drivers off the road. For example, on March 14, the Putnam County sheriff announced that there would be increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints from March 16 to March 19. The extra efforts are part of the STOP-DWI campaign that is taking place across the state.
Research has indicated that enforcement efforts that are made visible to the public can reduce drunk driving fatalities by up to 20 percent. This may be in part because potentially drunk or impaired drivers may opt for a taxi or a designated driver instead. The STOP-DWI Foundation has a smartphone app that allows drivers who may be impaired or intoxicated to find a safe ride home.
Those who are charged with DWI may face a variety of penalties including jail time, a fine and a license suspension or revocation. As these penalties may have a significant impact on an individual’s life, it may be a good idea to talk with an attorney. Legal counsel may be able to create one or more defenses to a charge, which may lead to an acquittal or a plea bargain.
For instance, it may be possible to argue that the results of a blood or breath test show that a driver was under the legal alcohol limit. It may also be possible to argue that a driver had slurred speech or bloodshot eyes because of a medical condition as opposed to alcohol impairment. Finally, an attorney may be able to cast doubt upon evidence such as a police report or witness testimony that may have lead to a drunk driving charge. In some cases, evidence may be thrown out entirely.
