Hopefully you have a wonderful end of the year, but we know for a fact that some people will end 2025 on a low note. Police are out in full force looking for drunk drivers, and considering New Year’s Eve and the morning hours of New Year’s Day are largely considered the most dangerous driving days on the road, it’s inevitable that some people will be arrested for DWI in the coming hours. If you or someone you know are one of the those individuals and you need assistance now, we’re here to help. Below, we explain the steps you should take if you need a lawyer on New Year’s Eve or on New Year’s Day.
Avoiding A New Year’s Arrest
If you’re going out to celebrate the new year, be smart and plan ahead so that it’s unlikely you run into trouble with the cops. Some tips we recommend include:
- Organize a sober driver ahead of time
- Lean on public transportation
- Hop on free MVTA transportation on NYE
- Stick to one location to limit times you get behind the wheel
- Have a plan to stay overnight if you become unsafe to drive
- Celebrate responsibly at home
There’s no reason to get a DWI if you plan ahead, so don’t put yourself in a compromising situation because of poor planning. Police will be out with extra enforcement, so even if you’re just heading a couple miles down the road, they’ll be ready to take drunk drivers off the road.
New Year’s Lawyer
Perhaps you’ve just been pulled over on New Year’s and are waiting for the officer to run your license. Maybe you’re looking for a lawyer because you were riding home with your boyfriend who was just arrested for DWI. Whatever your reasons for being on this page, take a deep breath and let’s quickly walk you through what steps you should take next.
1. Stay Silent – If the interaction with police isn’t over, or you’re reading this in case you ever need to rely on the information in the future, don’t speak to the officer any more than you need to. You can give your name and basic information, but don’t try to talk your way out of the situation. You’re not going to be able to explain away a situation or convince the officer that you’re fine to drive because you only had a couple of beers. Don’t give them any information that could prove harmful to your eventual defense. You can simply state that you’re not going to answer any additional questions until you can consult with your lawyer.
2. Call A Lawyer – Get in contact with a lawyer as soon as possible. Not only can they help secure your release from jail before being brought before a judge (which could be days if the court if closed for the holiday), but they can also provide some sound advice and begin building your defense. You’re likely going to have enough on your plate between your personal business, your family and your job that you don’t also need to add legal defense to that list. Bring a lawyer aboard and ensure you can avoid a worst case scenario. There’s a good chance that a defense lawyer can more than pay for the cost of their services by preventing a worse case scenario, so don’t just view a lawyer as another expense. They will be an incredibly helpful resource during your time of need.
Hopefully you have a wonderful New Year’s Eve, but we’re here to answer our phones throughout the night in case someone needs assistance at any hour of the day. For more information, or to get in contact with an attorney right now, connect with the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
