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St. Patrick's Weekend DUIs in Oakland

Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Mar 08, 2023 | 0 Comments

Saint Patrick's Day falls on a Friday this year, which means there will be a lot of people out celebrating in the East Bay. The St. Patrick's Day Parade in San Francisco is one of the area's oldest festivals and the largest parade for the Irish saint west of the Mississippi. Along with wearing green and hearing bagpipes, many people enjoy the day out with friends, drinking Irish beer and whiskey. 

Whether you are Irish-American or just Irish for the day, partiers should prepare for getting home safely before going out. Police in the East Bay will be prepared for the partiers with increased DUI enforcement. If you do end up under arrest, call an experienced East Bay DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible so you don't lose your license to drive.

Saint Patrick's Day Events

The United Irish Societies of San Francisco will host the annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade this year on the Saturday before, March 11, 2023. The parade will begin at 11:30 at 2nd and Market streets, ending at the Civic Center Plaza. Make plans to get there from the East Bay as there will be thousands showing up for the event. Take public transportation of possible. 

Throughout the East Bay, there will be lots of other events. In the City of Dublin, named after the capital of the Republic of Ireland, the annual festival and celebration will take place on Saturday, March 18, 2023, and Sunday, March 19, 2023. The local festival draws up to 80,000 people and will be the biggest in a few years after COVID cancellations. Attendants can enjoy Irish entertainment, authentic foods and beverages, and participate in the Shamrock 5K fun run. 

Oakland DUI Patrols on St. Patrick's Day

Along with the official parades and festivals, there will also be a number of formal and informal pub crawls in San Francisco, Oakland, and across the East Bay. With many drinkers starting early on this holiday weekend, it can be hard to gauge impairment by the time the party starts to wind down. This could increase the number of drunk drivers out on California roads for the St. Paddy's Day weekend.

Every year, law enforcement in California step up patrols around St. Patrick's Day. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), "last year on St. Patrick's Day, CHP officers made 211 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI).  Tragically, that same day, three people died, and 76 people were injured statewide as a result of DUI crashes."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Saint Patrick's Day is "one of the biggest drinking occasions of the year and, unfortunately, means more drunk drivers on the roads. Falling on a Friday, we can expect a fairly dangerous weekend for drivers and passengers alike. If you plan to drink, make sure you refrain from driving and make a plan to get home safely."

After a DUI Arrest in Oakland

If you end up under arrest for a DUI after a few too many over St. Patrick's Day weekend, you can give yourself the best possible outcome and contact an experienced East Bay DUI defense attorney. Your lawyer will investigate your arrest, explain your legal options, and challenge your administrative license suspension

If you or a loved one are arrested for driving under the influence after a Saint Patrick's Day celebration in Alameda or Contra Costa County, call attorney Lynn Gorelick at 510-785-1444 or 925-847-3006. 

About the Author

Lynn Gorelick

Lynn Gorelick has been an attorney for over 38 years. She is the Attorney Lynn Gorelick is the Immediate Past President of the California DUI Lawyers Association and a Faculty and Sustaining member of the National College of DUI Defense. Lynn is a Specialist Member of the California DUI Lawyers Association and lectures frequently to other attorneys regarding DUI and DMV issues.

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