New Year’s Eve Weekend DUI’s make this one of Castillo Law’s least favorite holidays. It’s a time for getting rid of the bad and welcoming the endless possibilities of the new year. For our clients, it means the possibility for rehabilitation and the ability to turn over a new leaf and lead a positive lifestyle. With that being said, we want to remind you that New Year’s Eve also has one of the highest DUI arrest rates out of the holidays during the year. This is the last holiday weekend of 2016 and we want to make sure you don’t start 2017 off on the wrong foot.

Helpful tips and statistics for New Year’s Eve Weekend:

• Often, people decide not to take an Uber or other ride sharing service because of the peak prices on New Year’s Eve and long wait times. In this instance, our advice would be to plan how you are going to get home—whether that be designating a responsible sober driver to ensure your safe arrival home at the end of the night, public transportation, Uber or Lyft, or a couch to crash on— think of the plan well before you start drinking. Also, if prices are surging on New Year’s Eve on Uber or Lyft, take a taxi instead, as their prices do not surge during peak hours.

• Arizona is a no tolerance state for DUIs. Simply put, if you ingest alcohol or partake in illegal drugs and then drive, you are putting yourself at risk of being charged with a DUI. As noted in previous blogs, there are many ways that Arizona enhances DUI sentences based on the amount of alcohol in your system, if you have prior DUI offenses, if your license is suspended, cancelled or revoked, or if you choose to have a child under the age of 15 in your vehicle. DUIs are expensive and are emotionally and mentally draining. This is not a time to risk potentially life changing consequences because of some forgotten planning.

• DUI task forces are in full patrol all over the valley this weekend. DPS is using saturation patrols where there will large concentrations of officers in certain areas across the valley.

• DPS has been extremely effective using these saturation patrols, in part because people are wearier to drive under the influence when they see large numbers of officers on the roadways. Between November 26, 2015 and December 31, 2015, there were 2,134 DUI arrests in Maricopa County (AZCentral.com). Between November 26, 2014 and December 31, 2014, there were 2,568 DUI arrests in Maricopa County. This year, there have been 1,634 DUI arrests between November 26 and December 28.

• Please review our prior DUI blogs for detailed information about what to do if you believe you are being investigated for a DUI. Remember, you have the right to speak with an attorney. While it is important to remain polite and cooperative with an officer, keep requesting an attorney and do not make any incriminating statements. It is hard to remember all of the things to do or not do during a DUI investigation while it is happening, and that’s why Castillo Law is available 24/7 and offers free consultations if you happen to be detained for a DUI investigation.

If you or someone you know is facing DUI charges, call Castillo Law PLLC today at 480-206-5204. We offer personalized criminal defense, tailored to you with one of the few certified criminal defense attorneys in Arizona. Have a happy and safe New