Why so Many Houston Holiday DWI Arrests?

 Posted on March 03, 2023 in Uncategorized

Holidays are a time for cheer, friends, family, and having a good time. Whether it's New Year's Eve, St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, spring break, or the Fourth of July in Houston, we know how to have a good time. Heading to the bar, to the beach, or to a friend's house for a party or barbecue is how many of us relax and have fun. But if you plan to have a few drinks while you party, remember to watch out for Houston's DWI enforcement.

It's not your imagination if you think there seem to be more DWI arrests and accidents over the holidays in Houston. There are. Why? It may be that more people are on the roads while drinking, making accidents more likely. But Houston's "no refusal" DWI enforcement may also contribute to the high number of arrests.

Houston Holidays and "No Refusal"

Over holidays like Christmas, New Year's, and Memorial Day, or for significant sporting events like the Super Bowl, Texas rolls out "no refusal" weekends with heightened traffic enforcement, looking for suspected DWIs. Usually, if the police want to perform BAC testing on you, they need your permission. If they have probable cause to test you, and you refuse BAC testing, they'll likely arrest you. But before they can test your blood alcohol level, they must have a warrant. Obtaining one can be time-consuming, and BAC levels can change significantly by the time they test someone.

To avoid this delay in obtaining warrants for BAC testing, during no refusal weekends, the police will have prosecutors, magistrates, and judges on standby to ensure they can get warrants quickly. This allows BAC testing to happen more efficiently, even when suspects initially refuse testing. This results in more DWI arrests. The no refusal weekend can be unfair to drivers because they could face arrest if they refuse BAC testing at the scene, but breath tests police typically use in the field are far less reliable than blood tests.

You Need an Expert in Texas DWI Law

If you're facing a DWI charge from a holiday "no refusal" weekend in Houston. Or, if you just happened to get unlucky after having a few drinks and celebrating with friends, it's important to remember that a conviction is not a foregone conclusion. You are innocent until proven guilty and deserve a robust DWI defense. An expert in DWI defense can analyze your case and give you the best possible chance of a favorable outcome.

Attorney Doug Murphy is an expert in DWI defense. In fact, he is one of only two attorneys in Houston, and the state of Texas, who is Board Certified in both Texas DWI Defense and Criminal Defense Law, making him an expert in these fields. U.S. News & World Report recently named Doug to their prestigious 2023 "Lawyer of the Year" list for Houston DWI defense. Find out why the Houston media calls Doug "the drinking driver's best friend." Give the Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C., a call today at 713-229-8333, or contact them online to schedule your consultation.