Officials in Southern California say that they will step up DUI enforcement over the holiday weekend. According to the Automobile Club of Southern California, road travel is expected to drop by nearly 3 percent. Law enforcement officials said that their primary enforcement efforts would be concentrated on the weekend, through midnight on Sunday.

Some agencies are also promising stepped-up enforcement efforts aimed at curbing illegal fireworks, speeding and failure to use seat belts. According to the California Highway Patrol, 41 people died last year on the highway as the result of DUI-related accidents over the 4th of July holiday weekend. Approximately half of the victims were not wearing their seatbelts and one motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet when he was killed.

DUI arrests can be extremely expensive. In addition to risking jail time, a conviction can also result in fines, the loss of driving privileges, loss of income, increased insurance rates, driving restrictions, and driver retraining. The consequences and costs increase with repeated convictions.

Ventura criminal defense attorney Robert Michael Helfend has 25 years experience in criminal defense, and can bring together the legal and medical resources you need to defend yourself against these serious charges. When your freedom matters, choose an experienced attorney with a case history of successful defense. Contact Robert Helfend today for a free consultation on your case.

Photo Credit: Jerry Reynolds, via Flickr