Beginning on December 13th, 2023, and continuing until January 1st, 2024 the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting enhanced DUI enforcement by conducting high-visibility Saturation Patrols. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is able to budget for additional law enforcement through a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for DUI Enforcement. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is also participating in the NHSTA Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign. Citizens will likely see more law enforcement on the roads as part of Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
Saturation Patrols aggressively target what they believe to be indicators of impairment when making traffic stops. See the announcement here: 23-156 Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Awarded FDOT Contract for DUI Enforcement.
DUI Saturation Patrols are typically put into place during holiday weekends such as Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve or any other time that law enforcement wants to step up DUI arrests.
The operation this holiday season will be conducted throughout Pinellas County and will include heightened traffic enforcement and additional DUI Units on the road. The stated goal of the DUI operation is to reduce DUI related injuries and deaths. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office will be aggressively looking for drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any other controlled substance. The operation will include the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office DUI Unit, Traffic Enforcement, and G4S Prisoner Transportation.
If you were stopped and arrested during a Pinellas County DUI Saturation Patrol operation you should consult with an attorney who can assess the facts and circumstances of your arrest and formulate a plan for your best defense. We will review the stop, field sobriety tests, breath test and other associated evidence in an effort to resolve your case successfully. We have significant experience defending DUI cases including experience as a former State Attorney in Pinellas County and experience on the Pinellas County State Attorney’s DUI Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide Squad. Contact the Morris Law Firm at (727) 388-4736 for a strategic review of your DUI case. The Morris Law Firm represents clients throughout the Tampa Bay Area, including Pinellas, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Pasco, and Manatee counties.