Michael J. Griffith, P.A.

Call For A Free Consultation 24/7 – 850-433-9922

Text Us – 850-712-6301

  • Home
  • Practice Areas
    • Criminal Defense
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Personal Injury
    • Family Law
  • About
    • Michael J. Griffith
    • News and Articles
  • Client Resources
    • Court Resources
    • Pay Your Bill
    • Client Portal
  • Blog
  • Contact
Michael J. Griffith, P.A.

Free Consultation 24/7 – 850-433-9922

Text Us – 850-712-6301

  • Home
  • Practice Areas
    • Criminal Defense
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Personal Injury
    • Family Law
  • About
    • Michael J. Griffith
    • News and Articles
  • Client Resources
    • Court Resources
    • Pay Your Bill
    • Client Portal
  • Blog
  • Contact

Can you turn away from a DUI checkpoint in Florida?

On behalf of Michael J. Griffith, P.A. | Nov 18, 2020 | DUI |

With the holiday season here, Florida law enforcement officers will be increasing their patrols to crack down on drunk drivers over the next several weeks. More than likely, they also will set up DUI checkpoints, especially on New Year’s Eve, when many drivers may have been drinking at a late-night party.

If you find yourself approaching a DUI checkpoint, you may want to avoid it. Maybe you’ve had a drink or two and don’t want to take your chances of facing DUI charges. Yet, can you simply turn away from an upcoming DUI checkpoint?

DUI checkpoint rules

In Florida, you can turn away from a DUI checkpoint. As long as you make a legal U-turn and aren’t driving erratically, police won’t stop your vehicle.

If you forget to turn away, or can’t do so safely, police may stop you to see if you are intoxicated. Remember you still have rights. You don’t have to tell police how many drinks you’ve had or where you came from or where you are going. You can give police your license and registration and request your right to remain silent. However, if you refuse to take a breathalyzer tests, you can face additional penalties, even if you aren’t driving drunk.

When facing DUI charges

If you end up facing DUI charges after a DUI checkpoint, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. An attorney can review your case to prepare a DUI defense for you or see if police made any mistakes that could reduce or dismiss the charges. You want to do all you can to avoid a DUI conviction, which not only comes with a fine, jail time and license suspension, but also can affect your future employment opportunities.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Recent Posts

  • Subsequent DUIs result in harsher penalties
  • Admissibility issues with certain evidence
  • A woman has been charged with stealing lottery tickets
  • Common drunk driving defenses
  • The role fatigue plays in truck accidents

Archives

  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020

Categories

  • Criminal Defense
  • Defendant rights
  • DUI
  • Firm News
  • Personal Injury
  • Uncategorized

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

FindLaw Network

How Can We Help?

Office Location

Michael J. Griffith, P.A.
304 E Government Street
Pensacola, FL 32502

Phone: 850-433-9922
Map & Directions

Located in Pensacola, Florida, the law firm of Michael J. Griffith, P.A., represents people in Pensacola and the Florida Panhandle area, including Gulf Breeze, Pace, Milton, Navarre, Fort Walton Beach, Cantonment, Crestview, De Funiak Springs, Panama City, Jay, Century, Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Okaloosa County, Walton County and Bay County, Florida.
Review The Firm
  • Follow

© 2021 Michael J. Griffith, P.A.. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters