You may be one of many young guys in Tennessee who enjoys getting together with buddies during the holidays for some hot wings or pizza and a few ice-cold beers. Nothing spells holiday fun like watching the Turkey Bowl on a big screen at a local pub, surrounded by five or 10 of your best friends. If you don't want DUI charges to ruin your holiday, it's best to try to plan ahead to avoid getting pulled over or becoming involved in a collision if you drive yourself home after the game.
Beware the deadliest driving days of the year
Did you know that you and your friends are at greater risk for car accidents and DUI arrests on some days more than others? If you're home from college for the holidays and your parents have been kind enough to loan you their car, or they have already helped you purchase one of your own, you'll want to be aware of the following days that represent the most dangerous times to travel by motor vehicle in the United States:
- Independence Day: Between 2005 and 2009, there were nearly 145 fatal car accidents per year on July Fourth. One study marked this as the deadliest day of the year for motorists.
- Thanksgiving and New Year's Weekends: You are probably no different from hundreds of other young men ages 18-28 who love to celebrate these special occasions with family and friends. The days just before and after these two holidays also happen to be when DUI arrests are highest.
- Christmas: Approximately 40 percent of car accident deaths during the Christmas holidays are alcohol-related.
Behind bars in a jail cell is obviously not somewhere you want to spend Christmas or any other special time of the year mentioned here. It's a good idea to become educated on the laws regarding DUI in Tennessee before you get behind the wheel after imbibing alcohol.
How can I minimize the negative impact my DUI may have on my parents?
If your situation has already past the "planning ahead" stage, and a traffic stop resulted in DUI charges against you, one of the first things you might be thinking is how to spare your parents grief when they find out that you have been arrested and charged with a crime. It may be possible to avoid conviction, which, of course, would be good news for your parents. But, even if that doesn't happen, there are ways you may be able to lessen the far-reaching consequences of the situation.
- Seek experienced support: From the moment a police officer pulls you over, anything you say and do can later be used to incriminate you in court. By requesting assistance from a defense attorney right away, you increase your chances of obtaining a positive outcome.
- Make Informed Decisions: An attorney can clarify the law for you so you are aware of all possible repercussions for things like refusing to take a Breathalyzer test upon request. State laws vary regarding such matters and by consulting with an attorney, you can choose a path that leads to the least amount of complications.
- Defend your rights: If you believe law enforcement agents have violated your personal rights, you can ask an attorney to bring the matter to the court's attention. If an officer has failed to adhere to strict protocol during a search or arrest process, evidence proffered therein may be challenged as inadmissible.
While none of these options will likely remove all of your or your parents' stress, taking a proactive stance to fight against the charges against you may produce very positive results. If this is your first ever DUI, there is no reason a single lapse in judgment or incident should ruin future holidays, your college career or your family life. Generally speaking, the sooner you connect with a skilled and experienced defense lawyer, the better when it comes to optimizing your chances for achieving the best possible outcome.