If you’re driving in Wyoming during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s, you may see more law enforcement vehicles on the road. Many times, these holiday periods bring increased DWUI enforcement.
If you’re stopped, or you’ve already been arrested for DWUI, you need to know what happens next. Here is a look at Wyoming’s holiday DWUI enforcement and what drivers need to know from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.
Wyoming Does Not Have Sobriety Checkpoints
Yes, Wyoming’s holiday enforcement will have increased patrols, but that does not mean you will encounter a traditional sobriety checkpoint.
The state’s temporary roadblock statute authorizes roadblocks for apprehending people reasonably believed to be wanted for violations of law. But the statute does not authorize roadblocks to screen drivers for impaired driving.
However, law enforcement can use saturation patrols and other enforcement efforts. Officers still need a lawful basis to stop your vehicle, such as reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or other criminal activity.
A holiday patrol doesn’t give an officer unlimited authority to stop every driver because it’s a holiday weekend.
What Happens During a Wyoming DWUI Stop?
If a trooper or police officer stops you, the officer may begin by observing your driving and your behavior during the traffic stop. Some of those signs of impairment can include:
- Weaving
- Drifting across lanes
- Unusual speed
- Failing to obey traffic signals
- Other driving behaviors that gives the officer reason to investigate
Once you are stopped, the officer may ask questions and ask you to perform field sobriety tests. Field sobriety tests and the post-arrest chemical test are different. A roadside field sobriety exercise is not the same as Wyoming’s implied consent chemical testing requirements.
If you’re arrested, you do not have to answer every question. You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a DWUI attorney.
What Happens After a Holiday DWUI Arrest?
If you’re arrested, you will be taken through the booking process. Depending on the situation, you will undergo chemical testing, have your property inventoried, and be processed into custody.
After that, you will have an initial court appearance. At this stage, the court addresses the charges, your rights, and release conditions.
If the Wyoming Department of Transportation takes administrative action against your driving privileges, you will have separate procedures and deadlines for that issue.
If you’ve been arrested, you will need to deal with it right away. The administrative license issue can require action even while your criminal case is still pending.
What Should You Do If You’re Arrested During Holiday Enforcement?
If you’ve been arrested for DWUI, you don’t want to wait until after the holidays to start dealing with the case.
In any situation, you never want to discuss the facts of your case with friends, witnesses, or anyone else who may become involved. And remember, don’t post about your arrest on social media.
Along with that, pay close attention to everything you’ve been provided when you’re released. This includes court paperwork and any notice concerning your driver’s license.
Also, you want to contact a Wyoming DWUI defense attorney right away. They can review the circumstances of the traffic stop and give advice on what steps to take to move ahead in the case.
Remember that an arrest is not a conviction. The state still has to prove the criminal charge. If you act right away, you have time to challenge your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wyoming have DUI checkpoints during the holidays?
Wyoming does not have traditional sobriety checkpoints. But law enforcement may use saturation patrols and other enforcement efforts to identify suspected impaired drivers. Officers still need a lawful basis to stop a vehicle.
What happens if I’m arrested for DWUI during a holiday patrol?
After an arrest, you may be taken into custody for booking and chemical testing. Since the criminal case and license issues operate on separate tracks, you will want to review both with a Wyoming DWUI defense attorney.
What should I do after a Wyoming DWUI arrest?
Contact a Wyoming DWUI defense lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can review the circumstances of your arrest and explain your available options.
Arrested During a Wyoming Holiday DWUI Patrol?
Wyoming’s holiday DWUI enforcement ramps up between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. That can mean more officers looking for impaired drivers.
If you’ve been arrested for DWUI in Wyoming, Just Criminal Law can help you with what happens next. We are ready to look at the facts of the case and explain your options.
If you’ve been arrested in Gillette or anywhere else in Wyoming, you don’t want to wait until after the holiday weekend to get answers. Contact Just Criminal Law for a confidential consultation.
