Drive Safely This Independence Day Weekend - a Reminder from the Law Offices of Christopher J. Shea

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA, July 01, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- While you are out enjoying your holiday barbeques with the family, the offices of Christopher J. Shea would like to remind you that sobriety checkpoints will be in full affect during this holiday weekend.

Avoid the 8 will be in enforcement for the Independence Day weekend, July 1 through July 4. Avoid the 8 is a campaign that brings multiple law enforcement agencies together to catch drivers who are under the influence.

Hundreds of drivers have been arrested as part of the Avoid the 8 DUI campaign. This campaign peeks during the holidays and the Fourth of July weekend is a major time for the drunk driving crackdown.

There are many different types of law enforcement tactics to be watchful for this holiday weekend. Sobriety checkpoints are number one on the list as each checkpoint can screen more than 2,000 drivers. During this weekend in years past, this program has enhanced its team to include motorcycle patrol officers to watch for drunk drivers.

The best way to avoid sobriety checkpoints is to take preventative measures before being caught in this type of situation. If you find yourself arrested for a DUI resulting from a sobriety checkpoint, it is imperative that you have an attorney that understands the legality of your case. As an attorney who specializes in DUI law, Christopher J. Shea understands the complexities of sobriety checkpoints and has the experience to represent drivers in this intense situation.

The California Supreme Court Case of Ingersoll v. Palmer, established eight factors that should be followed in determining the constitutionality of a sobriety checkpoint:

1) Selection of the site of the checkpoint and the procedures used at the checkpoint must be determined by supervisory law enforcement personnel;
2) Motorists must be randomly stopped pursuant to a neutral formula;
3) Adequate safety precautions (such as proper lighting and warning signs) must be used;
4) Location of checkpoint must be reasonable;
5) The time of the checkpoint and the duration of the checkpoint must reflect law enforcement's "good judgment";
6) The checkpoint must demonstrate to drivers that it is an official checkpoint operated by law enforcement;
7) The average length and nature of the detention must be minimized; and
8) There should be publicity about the checkpoint's location and time.

The use of sobriety checkpoints is a controversial issue. Many argue that such procedures violate Fourth Amendment rights that protect individuals from unreasonable search and seizure. These factors can help to protect individual rights and represent the interest of the individual in a DUI case.

When an individual is arrested for a DUI, it is important to have an experienced attorney to discover all known implications involved in a case. San Francisco DUI lawyer Christopher J. Shea has the reputation, experience, and the right legal knowledge to represent even the most complex cases.

About the Law Offices of Christopher J. Shea
With over 15 years of experience, San Francisco defense lawyer Christopher J. Shea has worked exclusively in criminal law. As a Deputy District Attorney in Marin County for eleven years, he believed in not always seeking a conviction, but striving for the interest of justice to be served. Mr. Shea now uses his broad understanding of the criminal justice system to effectively negotiate even the most complex cases. He has a unique perspective in knowing both sides of each issue that allows him to determinedly represent his clients.

Be safe, be cautious, drive responsibly, and enjoy your holiday.

A message from the Law Offices of Christopher J. Shea. More information about DUI law and Christopher J. Shea can be found at www.christopherjshea.com.

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