Please note that this is not legal advice. See our disclaimer.
The holidays are a time of good cheer. Often, that cheer can take the form of beer, wine and other spirits at a New Years party. The next thing you know, you have been pulled over by police on the way home and are being asked to submit to a blood alcohol test. Unfortunately, it happens way too often, and when it does, the consequences can be severe. Simply protecting your rights can cost thousands of dollars. In addition, you could face incarceration, lose your driving privileges, and might even put your job at risk. There are steps that you can take to minimize the risk of an arrest for drinking and driving:
- Don’t drink and drive—The simplest and easiest way to avoid a drunk driving charge is not to mix drinking and driving. If you will be driving, don’t drink at the party. Consider yourself the designated driver. Take an extra piece of fudge or a New Years cookie, and have a nightcap once you get home. If you have been waiting for your host’s New Years punch all year, find someone else to be your designated driver. If you can’t get a designated driver, take a cab.
- Have the party at your house—If you have the party at your house, you can drink as much as you want. However, you want to be careful alcohol at the party. You may have social host liability for any injuries caused by someone who became inebriated at your party.
- Keep your vehicle maintained and your registration up-to-date—Far too frequently, someone gets pulled over for a broken tail light, expired license plates, or expired inspection stickers and the officer smells alcohol or otherwise suspects drinking and driving. Make certain all lights and other components of your vehicle are working properly, and that you have purchased and placed up-to-date plates on your car.
- Stay home if weather conditions are bad—Police tend to be more vigilant when weather conditions are poor. In addition, you may have more difficulty driving in icy or snowy weather. You may innocently lose control of your car, end up in a ditch, and then have an officer smell alcohol when coming to help.
Contact the Law Offices of Hornstine Law, LLC
At Hornstine Law, LLC, we have decades of criminal law experience. Our lawyers aggressively advocate for people in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, using our knowledge, skill, experience and resources to help you get the outcome you want. We provide a free initial consultation in every case. To schedule an appointment, contact our office online or call us at 215-568-4968 (in New Jersey at 609-523-2222).