Do sobriety checkpoints work?

Dec 04, 2011 - by Richard Samdperil

The stated purpose of these stepped-up DUI patrols is to deter people from drinking and driving.

DWI Arrests at Sobriety Checkpoints in Portsmouth, NH

Out of 260 vehicles stopped as part of a past "DWI hunter" patrol, only 7 drivers were arrested.  This means that 253 innocent drivers plus an unknown number of passengers were the subject of police detentions, even though they had committed no crime and police had no reasonable suspicion to stop and question the people in these vehicles. 

This result has been common, as most DWI roadblocks in Portsmouth NH and surrounding towns such as Rye and Hampton have resulted in only about 1-2% of the drivers being charged with DUI.  In some cases, police have arrested the drivers, often youth operators, on charges that have nothing to do with driving while intoxicated.

Police released the names and addresses of those arrested, and that information is routinely published on-line and in the local newspaper.

The Portsmouth Police Department has repeatedly stated that drivers can "expect more DUI Hunter Patrols, Saturation Patrols and Sobriety Checkpoints."

If you have been charged with DWI, DUI or OUI in NH, you should contact an experienced DWI lawyer as soon as possible. 

Attorneys Richard Samdperil and Joe Welsh have offices in Portsmouth and Exeter, New Hampshire, and have each been practicing DWI defense and criminal law for over 15 years.   They maintain a state-wide DUI practice and routinely appear in all courts Rockingham and Strafford counties.

Give us a call.  You will see why so many of our clients are glad that they did.