The reinstated Pinellas County’s DUI squad had a checkpoint in action last Friday night, netting a handful of DUI arrests and a dozen other infractions. The checkpoint was carried out on Highway 19 between Curlew and Tampa Roads in the northbound direction only.
The DUI squad had been disbanded in 2008 due to budget cuts at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It was reinstated on a part time basis last year with a change in Sheriff. Newly elected Sheriff Bob Gualteri ensured that the reinstated squad worked through Wednesday and Saturday nights.
The reasoning for the reinstatement was a reported drop in DUI arrests, not unexpected considering the disbandment of the squad. However, more worrying was the doubling of fatalities due to DUI affected accidents. There was an assumption that more lives and injuries may be saved with an increased enforcement of Florida’s strict DUI laws in the county.
The number of DUI arrests last Friday night may not seem very high, but police spokesmen claimed that the checkpoint had a deterrent effect greater than the limited number of arrests might imply.
DUI checkpoints have been criticized before for their seemingly limited success in terms of arrests. Checkpoints rely on being able to scoop up those who drink and drive through random sampling of drivers. Sometimes, those drivers who give the game away by driving erratically or driving vehicles that are visually faulty are caught in the police department’s net. Otherwise it is a game of chance. In last Friday’s operation, every sixth vehicle was stopped until 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, after which time every one in three was stopped.
In all, 300 vehicles were stopped and questioned. Normally, the police officer would ask to see the driver’s license. This was checked, together with the registration plates, and the driver was asked a series of what might have appeared to be light hearted questions. The questions were not meant to be social, of course, but gave the officer an impression whether the driver had been drinking or was under the influence of drugs. Anyone suspected then had to complete a series of field sobriety tests. The majority of drivers were detained for a few minutes only, although there were a number who were given citations for revoked or suspended licenses as well as someone who had a domestic violation injunction against his name.
The stepping up of DUI operations in Pinellas County is expected to mean more DUI arrests in future. Not all DUI arrests are justified, of course, and any DUI charge must be proved beyond a doubt in court. Being stopped on suspicion of DUI can be a very intimidating experience. The sobriety tests in particular can lead to unexpected and subjective results.
If you have been arrested for DUI in Pinellas County or elsewhere in and around Tampa, then be prepared to expect a determined prosecution. The Florida Law Enforcement Agency and police departments across the state go to great lengths to make sure they get convictions. Sometimes, the protocol that should be used when a driver is stopped for DUI is forgotten and an arrest is made which is not justified.
Anyone who is convicted for DUI can face serious consequences that can affect the way they and their family live in the future. The financial effects not only include a fine and court fees, but there are longer term effects, too, including the potential effect on one’s job, insurance rates and credit rating with a criminal conviction.
Fight a DUI charge with the help of an experienced and dedicated DUI attorney. In many instances, a good attorney can get your DUI charged or at least the penalties reduced.
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