As we noted in a past post, the holiday season brings about a heightened presence of DUI and DWI patrols by both local and state authorities. Whether they were on quiet urban streets or sprawling interstate highways, officers kept a keen watch over Missouri drivers over the “four day weekend” that proceeded and included both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Figures released from the Missouri Highway Patrol have shown that this year a great deal of local motorists were behind the wheel after having had too much to drink. While the long weekend that surrounded the holiday may be in part to blame, DUI arrests more than doubled from last year’s totals.

130 drunk driving arrests were made over the extended weekend, up from 56 from 2011. In addition, 209 traffic crashes resulting in two fatalities and 91 injuries were recorded. The city of St. Louis itself was responsible for 42 of the 130 DUI arrests.

It bears noting that these arrests were made by Highway Patrol officers only, and do not include local police departments’ actions. Furthermore, with the celebration as the New Year took many out of their homes with drinking on the agenda, it’s doubtless that many more Missourians found themselves on the wrong side of a breathalyzer sobriety test in the recent weeks.

While an increase in DUI arrests over the holiday season may be somewhat expected, no one plans on encountering a drunk driving charge themselves. For those who have found themselves charged with intoxicated driving, legal options do exist that could bring about a more desirable situation. Contacting a DUI defense attorney can help to both clarify these options and increase the chance of a lessened or dropped charge.

Source: KMOX, “DUI Arrests Increased This Christmas, Highway Patrol Reports,” Dec. 27, 2012

• At any time of year, a DUI or DWI charge can bring about ruined plans and a difficult return to normal life. For more information on how to approach allegations, contact our St. Louis drunk driving law page.

The holiday season is always meant to be a positive time of the year. Whether it be the exchange of gifts, reunions with loved ones, or contributing to a charitable community, the traditions typically associated with this of year center around giving and happiness.

One possible gift many Missourians will receive this time of year however is neither desirable nor happy, and is has the potential to be more expensive than any other they will be given: a DUI charge. In keeping with past years, local law enforcement departments and state officers have stepped up their patrols in an effort to catch more drivers behind the wheel while intoxicated.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety has also begun a seasonal DUI Holiday Campaign that urges the use of cabs or a designated driver during a season when holiday parties often lead to intoxicated driving and impaired judgment.

Whether it be a first-time or repeat offense, a DUI or DWI charge can quickly make the holidays a much more expensive and logistically difficult time of year. Licenses are often suspended, or even revoked for repeat offenders, and fines for drunk driving can stretch into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Furthermore, jail time could come as a result of a conviction, leading some St. Louis area residents to spend the holidays and New Year in a cell, rather than at home with loved ones.

With stringent police enforcement and tough sentencing directed at those charged with a DUI or DWI around Christmas time, those pressed with charges should immediately contact a drunk driving defense attorney. Together, defendants and their lawyers can begin to explore legal options and build a defense case that can minimize fines and other punishments, making spirits bright around this special time of year.

Source: Cassville Democrat, “DUI holiday campaign launched,” Mati Spencer, Dec. 12, 2012

• A DWI or DUI conviction can quickly end the fun of holiday plans. For information on how to avoid strict sentencing, contact our St. Louis DWI law page.

It’s the holiday season, and for a great many reasons that means that Missouri motorists will be travelling and consuming alcohol at an elevated rate. For the rest of December and even into mid-January, holiday parties and family gatherings will mix intoxication with driving. Unfortunately, for some on the road over the upcoming weeks, a drunk driving charge will become a reality.

According to Florissant police, 2011 saw 234 people killed and 945 others seriously injured as a result of auto collisions in which at least one driver was intoxicated. In an effort to reduce these numbers as 2012 comes to a close, the St. Louis-area department is stepping up DWI and DUI enforcement, participating in the Holiday DWI Enforcement Campaign, a program funded by Missouri’s Department of Transportation and Highway safety.

This week in particular will see heightened patrols and stops from officers. The Florissant Chief of Police remarked last week that Dec. 10-16 will feature a “focus on reducing deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired drivers.”

DWI charges carry serious penalties in Missouri. A first conviction can suspend one’s license for 30-60 days, while repeat convictions can bring on up to a $5,000 fine, up to seven years’ jail time, and a possible decade-long loss of driving rights.

While the best solution to problems of intoxicated holiday driving to is always designate a sober driver, mistakes do happen and drunk driving charges can be filed against even those who typically responsible and safe in their driving habits. Be it in Florissant, St. Louis, or elsewhere, if a drunk driving charge should come about, a DWI/DUI defense lawyer can help better the chance of lessened charges and a happier holidays.

Source: Florissant Patch, “Holiday Crackdown: Florissant Police Increase DWI, Impaired Driving Enforcement,” Angel Atkinson, Dec. 5, 2012

• As festivities ramp up, don’t be left in the cold by a DWI conviction. For information on how to avoid strict sentencing, contact our St. Louis DWI law page.