Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officers are out in force on holidays looking to stop drivers whom they suspect are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (aka DUI, DWI or drunk driving). This is particularly true in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach on New Year’s Eve. Some of the more common areas where DUI police officers are prevalent are J. Turner Butler Boulevard (JTB), Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Boulevard. Police often look for drivers whom they believe are indicating signs of impairment, such as swerving, aggressive driving, excessive speeding or driving very slowly or driving in a manner that causes a motor vehicle accident.
If you are pulled over on New Year’s Eve in Jacksonville, Florida (or any other time or place), keep in mind that you have rights. The officer may ask you to submit to a series of field sobriety tests. You do not have to submit to those tests. The officer may ask you questions about what you have been doing prior to the police stop and whether you have been drinking. You can politely request your lawyer rather than provide that potentially incriminating information to the police officer. If you do get stopped and arrested for DUI, it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible so your rights can be protected.