Law enforcement agencies in Coos County came together to create a new DUI task force, the first of its kind and one that they hope other counties will seek to duplicate.
Typically, law enforcement agencies are independent, working together on a case by case basis as needed. Each agency applies for grants from the government to create and fund programs. With the South Coast DUI Task Force, agencies in the county united to request the grant together, making an inter-agency organization with a very targeted goal.
According to The World, the money awarded with this grant will go to pay for education, equipment, and overtime. The union of agencies plans on expanding their saturation points as well, cracking down on DUIs over weekends and holidays. They also hope to get cooperation from bars and cab companies.
The Task Force reportedly held 5 saturation points between Memorial Day and Labor Day. A saturation point, also often called a “DUI checkpoint” is where police randomly stop vehicles on a given roadway, checking for signs of intoxication.
If stopped at a DUI checkpoint in Oregon and suspected of drinking and driving you may be given a field sobriety test or a breath test to determine if you are incapable of operating a vehicle or over the legal limit, .08%.
Being arrested for suspicion of DUI can be incredibly nerve wracking. You may have to spend the night in jail and if you’ve never been exposed to the County jail it can be a sobering reality check.
A first time DUII conviction can result in a potential sentence of up to 1 year in jail. However, depending on your situation, you may qualify for a diversion program. Diversion is, in essence, a term of probation served before a conviction.
If successfully completed, a diversion can get the DUII charge dismissed altogether.
Time is of the essence if you are arrested on a DUI charge and interested in serving diversion. You must ask the court for diversion within 30 days of the appearance date on your ticket.
If you are facing DUII charges in Oregon, whether it is your first or second time, I can help. Contact me today to discuss the details of your case.