Getting arrested for an OUI always brings up questions that can be frightening to face. When you get an OUI on a holiday, that can introduce even more questions and confusion. For the most part, getting arrested for an OUI on a holiday is the same as getting an OUI on any regular day. The penalties are the same no matter when you’re arrested, but there are a few small differences in the process that are important to be aware of.
Irregular Police Staffing
On holidays, police stations tend to have fewer staff on duty. Additionally, because many holidays involve gift-giving and heavy drinking as part of the celebration, it’s typical for the number of crimes committed to spike on holidays.
This means that more police officers are out on patrol and arresting more people, but there are fewer police available to process and book the individuals who are brought to the station. As a result, when you get an OUI on a holiday, your booking process is likely to take a lot longer than it would have on any other day.
Booking and Court Process Delays
If the holiday when you were arrested was a holiday like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve, you may experience additional delays as your legal proceedings progress. This is because there is a significant increase in the number of crimes committed during the holiday season and local court systems can become overwhelmed. This means it can take longer for the court to process documentation related to your case. It can also result in court dates needing to be scheduled further in advance.
Difficulty Finding a Qualified Attorney
Attorneys in your area are likely to have busier caseloads during the holiday season, which can make it difficult to find adequate representation if you’re arrested on a holiday. If you’re arrested for an OUI during the holiday season, it’s of critical importance that you find and hire an experienced OUI defense attorney to represent you in your case.
While general criminal defense attorneys can defend you against OUI charges, it’s always best to work with a specialized attorney if possible. Their expertise will position you to achieve a more positive outcome for your case. Move quickly to secure excellent representation before your local OUI defense attorneys have full caseloads.
Attorney James Milligan
Attorney Milligan is one of the top OUI defense attorneys in the state of Massachusetts. He has over 25 years of experience practicing exclusively OUI defense and an extensive track record of helping clients beat their OUI charges. He is one of the only lawyers in Massachusetts that is board certified in drunk driving defense and has achieved substantial recognition for outstanding work in his field. If you’re interested in working with Attorney James Milligan on your OUI case, contact him today for a free case evaluation.
