If you are planning on driving through the Miami-Dade County municipality of Pinecrest this Labor Day Weekend, make sure that you are not impaired.
The Pinecrest Police Department will be implementing what are known as “saturation patrols.” This means that most, if not all, of the department will be deployed for the purpose of locating and identifying impaired drivers.
If you recall from earlier posts, Pinecrest is one of the few municipalities that videotapes their traffic stops, DUI investigations, and arrests.
Officers look for driving patterns that may indicate impairment by drugs or alcohol. Things officers look for include weaving, failure to maintain a single lane, and braking too early. As well, an officer may pull you over for a traffic violation such as speeding or running a red light and may notice signs of impairment upon approaching your driver-side window.
Typical signs of DUI impairment are bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, flushed face, and an odor of alcohol on the breath.
A DUI arrest can be costly and devastating. You can lose your driver’s license for a period of time, you can face mandatory jail time if this is not your first DUI, and you face thousands in fines and court costs.
In Miami-Dade County, some first-time DUI offenders may qualify for the Back On Track Program. If you do not qualify, then you will likely be looking at the DUI minimum penalties, depending on whether it is your first, second, or third DUI.
Beyond a third DUI and you are looking at felony charges.
In Broward County there is no Back On Track Program. All first-time DUI offenders face the first-DUI minimum penalties.
Avoiding a DUI seems easy - just don’t drink and drive. But not all DUIs involve people who are legally drunk. I have seen countless cases where somebody has consumed alcohol prior to driving but not enough to be deemed legally impaired. You may have had a beer at a party and on your way home, you swerve to avoid a pothole and a police officer pulls you over. The smell of alcohol on your breath is oftentimes enough to get you arrested.
If you have been stopped for a DUI in Miami or Broward and are in need of a Miami DUI lawyer or Broward DUI lawyer, call me to discuss your case.
Remember - you only have 10 days after your arrest to secure a driving permit and challenge your driver’s license suspension. The administrative review process is an important part of your DUI case. If you are going to retain an attorney, make sure you do so within 10 days of your arrest.