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Drivers See Increase In Number Of Pennsylvania Dui Checkpoints

This past Halloween, many Pennsylvania residents probably enjoyed the company of friends at parties or other holiday festivities. At the same time, residents know that there is a greater chance that drivers may get behind the wheel after having a drink or two. This is exactly why Pennsylvania counties opted to establish DUI checkpoints on Halloween.

Two Pennsylvania counties planned to conduct DUI checkpoints on the weekend before Halloween — when they estimated that they could arrest drivers for being behind the wheel while legally intoxicated. These types of checkpoints have always been controversial, due to the implications of stopping drivers without probable cause. And there can be even more problems when the authorities make all drivers submit to a Breathalyzer test, as any breath test refusal attorney is likely to conclude.

Drivers who refuse to submit to a Breathalyzer test at these checkpoints could find themselves with a number of problems, which could include drunk driving charges. Some of the drivers at these checkpoints become angry because they perceive the checkpoints to be a violation of their constitutional rights, and anyone who did so may now be staring down serious legal consequences.

DUI checkpoints can land drivers in hot water, even in cases when they are not over the legal limit. Cooperating with police may be best idea, but sometimes the police are in the wrong. Anyone who is facing DUI charges in light of refusing to take a breath test could benefit from knowledge of their legal rights and options as they prepare to build a strong defense against the charges.

Source: York Daily Record, “DUI checkpoints in York and Adams counties planned,” Oct. 24, 2012