Irvine, Orange - Before you go out clubbing and drinking tonight be advised of several DUI checkpoints and DUI roving patrols around Orange County as police are looking for those driving drunk.
For Friday night a DUI checkpoint is planned in Newport Beach at an undisclosed location until 3 a.m.
Also Friday evening a DUI checkpoint is planned at an unknown location in Santa Ana.
As well for Friday the Anaheim, Garden Grove, Irvine, Buena Park and Newport Beach Police Departments will have roving DUI patrols in their cities.
A roving DUI patrol is generally when police units are positioned in areas where they're a high number of DUIs, which are often around popular bars and clubs.
One of the most popular questions asked is, "If I see a DUI checkpoint ahead can I just turn around or is it illegal?"
Irvine DUI lawyer Michael L. Guisti says yes, if you see a DUI checkpoint ahead you have the legal right to turn around and not go through it, however, when you turn around just make sure you're not breaking any traffic laws.
Many times over, Guisti says, somebody approaching a DUI checkpoint will suddenly make a U-turn crossing over the double yellow lines, which gives police the right to pull you over.
Guisti also says police can pull you over if they think you're DUI, or if you have some issue with your car like a taillight out.
Sometimes, according to Guisti, if you're able to turn around without breaking any traffic laws some police departments will keep squad cars posted along the opposite side of the street and nearby side streets to give the impression you're going to be pulled over if you turn around and refuse to go through their DUI checkpoint. Other times police will simply block off entries to side streets and even block legal U-turns to ensure you go through their DUI checkpoint, according to Guisti.
Irvine DUI attorney Guisti points out that if you enter a DUI checkpoint and you're caught driving without a license or driving on a suspended license police can cite you and even impound your car.
If you or somebody you know are facing a DUI charge call the Orange County DUI attorney specialists at the Law Office of Michael L. Guisti right now at 888-478-8999 so we can examine your charge, investigate the arresting police officer's action and ensure justice for you.
