By Varghese Summersett PLLC on Friday, 08 June 2018
Category: General

Which States Conduct DUI/DWI Checkpoints?

A sobriety or DWI checkpoint refers to locations where law enforcement specifically stop vehicles to check drivers for signs of intoxication. Often times, police set up these checkpoints on busy highways during holidays, such as the Fourth of July or New Year's Eve.

Since checkpoints also stop drivers who aren't under the influence, over the years many individuals have questioned whether checkpoints constitute unreasonable search and seizure. The Supreme Court took up the issue in 1990 and determined that checkpoints are, in fact, legal and justified to reduce drunk driving. More legal challenges arose however and, in the end, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to largely leave it up to each state to determine whether officers could use DUI/DWI roadblocks.

Today, at least 11 states do not currently conduct sobriety checkpoints or roadblocks. Here's a look at which states conduct DUI/DWI checkpoints and which do not:

State

Checkpoints Conducted

Alabama

Yes

Alaska

No

Arizona

Yes

Arkansas

Yes

California

Yes

Colorado

Yes

Connecticut

Yes

Delaware

Yes

Florida       

Yes

Georgia

Yes

Hawaii

Yes

Idaho

No

Illinois

Yes

Indiana

Yes

Iowa

No

Kansas

Yes

Kentucky

Yes

Louisiana

Yes

Maine

Yes

Maryland

Yes

Massachusetts

Yes

Michigan

No

Minnesota

No

Mississippi

Yes

Missouri

Yes

Montana

Yes

Nebraska

Yes

Nevada

Yes

New Hampshire         

Yes

New Jersey

Yes

New Mexico

Yes

New York

Yes

North Carolina          

Yes

North Dakota

Yes

Ohio

Yes

Oklahoma

Yes

Oregon

No

Pennsylvania

Yes

Rhode Island

No

South Carolina

Yes

South Dakota

Yes

Tennessee

Yes

Texas

No

Utah

Yes

Vermont                   

Yes

Virginia

Yes

Washington

No

West Virginia

Yes

Wisconsin

No

Wyoming

No

Source: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/checkpoints

Attorney Benson Varghese is the founder and managing partner of Varghese Summersett PLLC, the largest criminal defense firm in Fort Worth, Texas. Benson is an experienced Fort Worth DWI lawyer who has extensive experience handling alcohol-related charges, including DWI, intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter. ...

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