July 4th weekend is worrisome for law enforcement officers across the country. In fact, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, July 4th has held the record of deadliest holiday between 2000 and 2009 because of DWIs.
Thankfully, this July 4th weekend has been one of the least deadly in North Carolina. Authorities report that while DWI arrests were up, fatal accidents were low for the thirteenth year in a row.
Law Enforcement Stepped Up Their Efforts during the 4th of July Weekend
On June 30, 2015, the Associated Press reported that authorities in North Carolina launched their “Booze It & Lose It” Campaign to help prevent fatal DWI accidents. Sadly, there were ten people who lost their lives in fatal DWI accidents over the weekend.
Law enforcement authorities say that the fact that DWI arrests are up is a good thing. Getting as many impaired drivers off the road as possible contributes to the lower number of DWI accidents. Hopefully in the future we will see those numbers go down even more.
3 Steps to Take If You Were Arrested For DWI over the 4th
Were you or someone you know one of the many drivers arrested for DWI over the holiday weekend? If you were pulled over recently for DWI, what steps should you take?
- Remember You Have Rights. Most of us are familiar with the first few sentences of our Miranda rights: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” To protect themselves, most people keep silent while being arrested. What a lot of people don’t realize is that when an officer pulls them over for DWI they aren’t required to answer the officer’s questions. Law enforcement officers might ask some very incriminating questions prior to arresting and reading a person their rights. Under the 5th Amendment, you can (and most likely should) remain silent. You are required by law to provide a driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance, but you aren’t legally required to answer any questions.
- Get Legal Help Right Away. Don’t try to fight your case on your own. An attorney knows the law inside and out and knows what to look for—is there sufficient evidence? Were any of your rights violated? They can use such information to your advantage and get your charges and/or sentence reduced.
- Don’t Miss Your Court Date. Showing up for court is important. You show that you have a respectful attitude, one that can help your defense because it shows you’re taking responsibility for your actions. If you miss your court date, you could end up in more legal trouble.
Contact Us Immediately For Assistance with DWI Charges
Just because you’ve made a mistake doesn’t mean you don’t deserve help. Everyone has the right to legal assistance for mistakes they’ve made. If you have recently been arrested for a DWI, contact the office of John C. Fitzpatrick today. We look forward to seeing how we can help.