While the Minnesota Vikings season ended weeks ago, football fans across the Minneapolis metro-area are likely still gearing up for this Sunday’s Super Bowl. For many, a Super Bowl tradition includes having or attending a party where alcohol is served.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, an average of 190 drivers are arrested for DWIs on Super Bowl Sunday and into the early hours of Monday. It’s never a good idea to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking alcohol and the state plans to have extra highway patrols out during and after the game attempting to identify and pull over drivers suspected to be under the influence of alcohol.
Individuals who plan to watch the Super Bowl away from home are advised to drink responsibly and plan a sober ride home. Individuals who are hosting a party would also be wise to plan for how guests who have been drinking can safely get home. In cases where a party guest drinks and drives and is involved in an accident, a homeowner may be held legally liable. This is especially true in cases where a party guest is not of legal drinking age.
Regardless of what teams make it to the Super Bowl, it’s always a celebratory event and people enjoy getting together with friends to watch the game and have fun. However, a fun evening can quickly take a dark turn in cases where an individual is arrested and charged with drinking and driving.
Individuals, who are facing DWI charges, would be wise to exercise their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and contact a criminal defense attorney. Despite popular belief, DWI charges can be defended against and, in some cases, a defense attorney may be able to get criminal charges dismissed or reduced.
Source: National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, “Know Your Role on Super Bowl Sunday,” 2015
WCCO-TV, “Authorities To Ramp Up DWI Enforcement Over Super Bowl,” Jan. 29, 2015