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St. Patrick's Day brings fun - and DUI arrests - to Oregon

St. Patrick's Day is one of those times of year when many Oregon residents will go out with friends and have a good time. This is especially true when the holiday falls on a weekend, as it did this year. But these types of holidays, just like Independence Day and New Year's Eve, almost always bring out increased law enforcement patrols, with a particular focus on drunk driving.

According to a recent report, the Oregon State Police made 29 DUI arrests over the recent St. Patrick's Day weekend, which included nine arrests in the Portland area alone. If anyone observed these arrests they likely saw the suspects undergoing field sobriety tests and perhaps a breath test. There were no initial indications as to whether any of the arrestees were repeat offenders, in which case the potential penalties can increase substantially. A first-time offender in Oregon is unlikely to face a significant amount of jail time, but the penalties could end up including up to two years of probation and dozens of hours of community service. A repeat offender, however, could face a lengthy driver's license suspension and hefty fines, and if the offense is a third-time arrest the charge will likely be a felony and include the potential for a prison sentence.

The good news over the St. Patrick's Day weekend was that there were no fatal accidents. Unfortunately, this was not the case last year, when three people died in two separate accidents.

Anyone arrested in Oregon on suspicion of DUI should know that there are very specific procedures that police officers must follow in these circumstances. Failure to follow the proper procedures could lead to a lesser charge, or even result in the case being dismissed altogether. That is why it is paramount for an arrestee to immediately begin to assess the options for a criminal defense strategy. The smallest detail could make or break a case.

Source: Oregon Live, "St. Patrick's Day toll in Oregon: 29 DUI arrests, no fatalities," Lynne Terry, March 18, 2013

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