Upcoming DUI Checkpoint

Reckless driving is a fairly serious misdemeanor traffic charge to be found guilty of! Look it up sometime in your leasure.

'In introducing evidence of driving behavior, the prosecutor will generally call the police officer to testify about her observations of the driver prior to stopping the vehicle. Often, police officers will refer to weaving, erratic turning, and excessive speed. These observations are then argued by the prosecutor as evidence of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Driving behavior alone; however, is not enough to prove a government's case in chief in the drunk driving context although it is often enough proof of reckless driving. The police officer will often expand her testimony to include observations of the defendant upon the stop. Blood shot eyes, a strong odor of alcohol, and slurred speech are indicative of intoxication and the prosecution will elicit this evidence from the police officer.'

The last DUI checkpoint that I observed in Haymarket Va, most of the DUIs where teenagers.

All the checkpoints I have seen in Haymarket are joint police department DUI checkpoints. Seems to me if its a case of not knowing how to perform a procedure, it would be worth spending a few hundred dollars to bring in someone with expertise on DUI checkpoints and one who can certify our Haymarket Police Officers.

Anyway, whatever your point is, watchdog and/or skinsfan, concerning DUI checkpoints, I see little cause to eliminate Haymarket Police Officers involvement in DUI checkpoints; like I have heard one sitting town council member say should be done.

Once again, we must marvel at his ability to literally spew from his mouth such non-sensible gibberish and all the while praising the Chief and the PD and their abilities.

Hello Jay, once again you have failed to entertain me. And, why not find at least one of your friends who understands what I wrote and have that lonely person explain to you what is written under 'Its a Judge's call, anyway!'. And, after you have written something sensible I might recognize what you have written as an appropriate comment as a follow up to what I have written.

Glen I would like to say first I am glad to see the Haymarket PD have a DUI check. My opinion is they should have them more often. But as far as GlenPs above post. I would like to point out some misinformation. 1- Alcohol has no smell, I think you mean alcoholic beverage. 2-Weaving, erratic turning etc. gives the officer probable cause to stop the vehicle. Glen if you attended a Police Academy you would see there is alot more than what you posted. A police officer spends about 2 weeks learning DUI in the acadmey.

I do not know who you are, however I suggest that you (first) learn what single quotation means. Second, never contest a comment I make again; again you seem the idiot to me. And, third, if our Haymarket Police Officers need to be certified.........then provide the means for certification.

Some additional information:

Commonwealth of Virginia - 'Driving under the influence and drunk driving are synonymous terms under Virginia law as set forth in the Code of Virginia:'

'§ 18.2-266. Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc.'

'§ 18.2-269. Presumptions from alcohol content of blood.
A. In any prosecution for a violation of § 18.2-36.1'

'§ 18.2-268.9. Assurance of breath-test validity; use of test results as evidence. '

'§ 18.2-270. (Effective October 1, 2000) Penalty for driving while intoxicated; subsequent offense; prior conviction '

'§ 18.2-266.1. Persons under age twenty-one driving after illegally consuming alcohol; penalty. '

'In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the answer is YES. Reckless driving is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor, which could mean up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2500 fine. While this punishment would only be imposed in the most extreme of circumstances, if convicted you may also face a suspension of your driver's license, 6 demerit points on your driving record, increased insurance premiums at renewal time, as well as a conviction on your criminal record.'

'What constitutes reckless driving in Virginia? The Virginia Code sets forth a number of offenses that are chargeable as reckless. Traveling more than 20 mph over the speed limit, traveling at more than 80 mph, racing, or driving so as to endanger life, limb or property are all reasons the police could charge you with reckless driving. Additionally, many officers will charge you with reckless driving if you are involved in an accident and thought to be at fault.'

'Having a conviction for reckless driving could potentially deprive you of obtaining a job, a security clearance, or even a loan or mortgage. For this reason alone, it is important that you obtain experienced legal counsel to assist you with a charge of reckless driving. If you are charged with reckless driving, do not take it lightly.'

all they need to do is stand in front of Sheetz with some street cloths on and catch the drunks going for a beer run.

New Chief?