San Diego DUI Lawyers Blog
The Poway Station of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department announced in a press release that it conducted a DUI checkpoint on Friday, December 3rd, 2010, from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m., near the 11700 block of Poway Road. 1,328 vehicles passed through; however, no DUI arrests were made.
During that time, the deputies stepped up their patrol for DUI suspects in a saturation patrol and two suspected DUI arrests were made.
In their press release, the Sheriff’s Department claimed such checkpoints have been proven effective to lower the number of DUI deaths. They specifically cited the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which claims the total traffic fatalities are at their lowest levels in six decades and in California DUI deaths declined by 16 percent, from 1,132 in 2007 to 950 in 2009.
However, these checkpoints must be conducted within the guidelines set out by the California Supreme Court in Ingersoll v. Palmer. For instance, the checkpoint must be reasonable in location, time, and duration. The area must be clearly marked with proper lights and signs. There must be a non-discriminatory method for selecting which drivers are detained. A skilled lawyer can evaluate your case to see if such violations occurred. If so, key evidence may be supressed which may result in your matter being dismissed.