As a DWI Lawyer in Rockland County, New York, I will remember 2012 as a particularly interesting year in the realm of DWI defense.
2012 saw local police departments, in conjunction with the Rockland County Sheriff's Department, increase their use of DWI checkpoints (roadblocks) as part of their ongoing efforts to deter and detect intoxicated and impaired drivers. Both the media and my clients confirm that these checkpoints have been set up throughout Rockland County, including the Town of Clarkstown, the Town of Ramapo, the Village of Suffern and the Village of South Nyack. 2013 will likely see a further increase in the use of checkpoints at these locations and in the Town of Stony Point, the Town of Ramapo and the Town of Orangetown.
At these Driving While Intoxicated checkpoints, the police utilize Rockland County's mobile enforcement unit ("command van") and are immediately able to conduct a breath test to determine a driver's blood alcohol concentration ("BAC"), take photographs and fingerprints and complete the entire arrest process.
In addition to arrests for Driving While Intoxicated or Driving While Impaired by Drugs, the police also made arrests for possession of marijuana and controlled substances as well as issuing a large number of Traffic Tickets as a result of these roadblocks.
As we are now days away from New Year's Eve, it is likely that the police will continue their efforts into 2013 and set up DWI checkpoints in one or more locations in Rockland County and throughout the State of New York.
The easiest way to avoid a DWI arrest is of course, to think before your drink. Arranging for a designated driver (in advance), saving the telephone number of a local taxi company in your phone or making arrangements to stay in a hotel are simple steps to keep a DWI arrest out of the equation as you enjoy your New Year's celebrations.
Brian Berkowitz is a former prosecutor and a DWI and Criminal Defense Lawyer located in Rockland County, New York.