San Diego Criminal Attorneys Blog
Be informed of DUI checkpoints in San Diego! Throughout the 3-day Labor Day weekend, law enforcement officers in San Diego will be in full force on the look out for intoxicated drivers and DUI violations. Sherriff Todd Murphy stated that the intent behind the checkpoint was to raise awareness of the dangers of drunken driving, to serve as a deterrent, and to promote public safety. Friday night starting at 7 p.m., the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department will put together a checkpoint within Poway city limits that will extend until 3 a.m. Murphy also stated that over the course of the patrol deputies will be on the lookout for drunken and drugged drivers as well as those without a valid driver’s license. The SDPD’s traffic unit has also planned to conduct checkpoints at several other undisclosed locations both Friday and Saturday night. The checkpoints will be in affect from 10 p.m. to around 4:30 a.m. San Diego Police Officer Mark McCullough stated that all checkpoints will be staffed by officers screening drivers for signs of drug or alcohol impairment because well publicized checkpoints have been proven effective in reducing the number of people killed or injured in drunken driving crashes.
In addition to Friday and Saturday night checkpoints, another checkpoint is said to go into action Sunday night beginning at 7 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. as part of the end-of-summer crackdown. The end-of-summer crackdown, put on by the National City Police Department, will inevitably continue over the holiday weekend with increased police presence on area roadways and several checkpoints throughout the county. National City Police Officer Manuel Rodriguez said, “The end of summer and Labor Day weekend is traditionally a time to have fun. Don’t let it turn into a time of tragedy or jail visit by driving impaired by alcohol or drugs. We will be out looking for those making that unwise and dangerous choice.”
Those who make that choice are not refined to any one group of people. According to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, NBA player Lamar Odom was arrested at 3:45 a.m. Friday morning for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. CHP Officers pulled Odom over on the 101 Freeway for going too slow at 50 mph and showing obvious signs of intoxication. The cops believed that he was driving under the influence of both alcohol and drugs. After failing several field sobriety tests, Odom was booked in L.A. County Jail where he refused all chemical tests. According to other reports, Odom was possibly on a Crack binge over the course of the week prior to the arrest. Please keep in mind that DUI consequences can be severe and costly. If you or a loved one find yourself facing DUI charges, hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney is crucial for the betterment of your case and your life.
Sources:
“DUI Checkpoints Set Up for Labor Day Weekend”– Fox 5 San Diego, August 30, 2013
“Lamar Odom Busted for DUI”– TMZ News, August 30, 2013