California Police Will be Cracking Down on DUI This Labor Day Weekend

In advance of the upcoming Labor Day Weekend, California law enforcement has already stepped up the use of sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols. Therefore, before you head out to celebrate this holiday weekend, please read the following tips for avoiding a California DUI:

• Call a taxi or designate a sober driver. It's that simple. If everyone followed this advice, we wouldn't need to provide the additional tips.
• Be informed. You can find information about California DUI checkpoints on Facebook or, for specific information for Orange County, the Orange County DUI Checkpoints website.
• Stay calm. Clearly, this is easier said than done. An Orange County DUI checkpoint or DUI stop is nerve-wracking. To avoid the appearance of fumbling for your license and registration, it is important to make sure they are easily accessible.
• Be polite. Roll the window down and place your hands on the wheel until the officer gets to your window. Wait until asked to reach for your documents.
• Don't volunteer information. Resist the urge to talk your way out an arrest. This almost always does more harm than good. If the officer suspects that you have been drinking, he or she will often ask, "How much have you had to drink?" It is important to realize that you are under no obligation to volunteer this information. Simply return the question with one of your own. You might ask why he or she is asking you this question or if the officer would like to see your documents. If the officer asks again and you think you may be over the legal limit, it is best to invoke your right to speak with an attorney before answering any further questions.
• Say no to field sobriety tests. If the police officer asks you to step out of the vehicle, you must comply. However, you do not have to perform any field sobriety tests such as walking on a line or touching your nose with both hands. If you think the tests may give the officer any reason to suspect you are impaired, politely decline to perform them.
• Delay the breath test. You should also refuse the Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) Test. The PAS test is similar to a Breathalyzer and is used in the field prior to arrest. Unless you are under 21, there is no penalty for refusing the PAS Test. This is not to be confused with a chemical breath test or blood test, which is administered after arrest and is required by law.
• If you're arrested, submit to a breath test. At the police station, you will again be asked to submit to chemical testing. Under California's implied consent law, you must submit to a breath or blood test. Failure to do so after you are arrested for an Orange County DUI will result in harsher penalties such as jail time and loss of your driver's license for up to one year or more.

If you plan on drinking this Labor Day Weekend, please remember to have a designated driver to get you home safely or call a taxi cab to avoid a California DUI.

Finally, if you find yourself arrested for DUI, it is imperative to contact an experienced California DUI defense attorney as soon as possible.