DUI Checkpoints Ramped Up Over Fourth of July Weekend

Law enforcement agencies throughout Broward, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Lauderdale-Dade Counties are expected to increase drunk driving patrols this weekend, says Broward DUI Defense Attorneys at William Moore Criminal Defense. This is typical of any major holiday celebration, as police officers often put up sobriety checkpoints throughout the areas on Labor Day, Memorial Day, and particularly New Year’s Eve. Long weekends also tend to draw more partying, both on the roads and on the water. The Miramar police department, among others, has announced its intention to hold a DUI checkpoint from 8:00 p.m. on July 3 through 3:00 a.m. on July 4.

Sobriety checkpoints are subject to a number of constitutional restraints, notes Broward DUI Lawyer William Moore. For example, they must provide an opportunity to turn around and they must be clearly marked and visible from an appropriate distance. Law enforcement officers cannot pick and choose which drivers they want to assess; instead, they must have a neutral mechanism in place, which is determined by a superior in advance, along the lines of checking every single car or every third car. DUI roadblocks must also be announced to the public in advance. Generally, these DUI checkpoints garner significant revenue in the form of non-criminal traffic citations, but very few DUI arrests.

Boating under the influence is another consideration for this Independence Day weekend celebration. Many people in Fort Lauderdale and greater Broward County take to the water to celebrate the summer holiday on their boats. Unfortunately, Fort Lauderdale DUI attorney William Moore has found that many are unaware of the consequences of drinking and boating – or even of the existence of a crime known as boating under the influence, or BUI. Boating under the influence is very similar to driving under the influence. A person who is operating or in actual physical control of a boat with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or exceeding 0.08 percent can be convicted of the crime of BUI, if the act occurred in Florida waters.

Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer William Moore also reminds boaters to remember to follow the rules of the water, keep your boat properly licensed, and measure any lobsters caught to ensure compliance with local laws. Florida law enforcement officers will be patrolling the waterways as well as the streets to ensure that celebratory boaters are safe and following the letter of the law this weekend.

Fort Lauderdale DUI attorney William Moore provides outstanding DUI defense in Broward, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Lauderdale-Dade Counties. If you have been charged with a DUI, contact Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer William Moore, P.A.

This article should be used for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice nor as implied representation of any person.