DUI Saturation Patrols

Law enforcement officers in Florida are moving away from using DUI sobriety checkpoints, often found to be unconstitutional in court. Instead, officers are focusing more on saturation patrols.

According to the HCSO news release, the DUI saturation patrol aimed to promote safety and reduce traffic crashes in Hillsborough County.

HCSO’s continuing joint mission is to identify and apprehend impaired drivers to make our roadways safer for all drivers.

In many of these saturation patrols, HCSO uses the B.A.T. (breath alcohol test) mobile unit parked nearby.

On April 10, 2023, HCSO announced that its Countywide DUI Enforcement Squad just arrested 29 people for DUI over the Easter holiday weekend. Several arrests were repeat offenders and subsequently charged with a Felony DUI.

Attorney for Saturation DUI Patrols in Hillsborough County, FL

If you were arrested for DUI after a multi-agency saturation patrol in Hillsborough County, FL, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm.

Our lawyers understand the standard operating procedures used for DUI investigations by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

We fight DUI cases involving a breath test, urine test, blood test, or refusal to submit to testing.

Whether this is your first offense or a second or subsequent arrest, we can help. Let us put our experience to work for you.

Call 813-250-0500 to discuss your case today.


Enforcement-Prosecution-Treatment Collaboration Program

In 2004, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, and Tampa Crossroads proposed an enforcement-prosecution-treatment collaboration program to make the roads in Hillsborough County safer for everyone.

As part of this proposed program, HCSO would increase its DUI enforcement activities with saturation patrols once a week.

The prosecution component involved designating a specially trained “DUI prosecutor” who would help prosecute more DUI cases with a focus on repeat DUI offenders while assisting other prosecutors in handling these complicated cases with a focus on stiffer penalties for repeat offenders.

The treatment component was designed to serve one hundred (100) repeat DUI offenders by providing counseling services.

The University of South Florida’s Department of Mental Health Law & Policy (MHLP) played a role in the project.

The Project Evaluator was responsible for evaluating the three agencies and activities involved in reducing drinking and driving.

The Principal Investigator was listed as M. Scott Young, Ph.D. The Co-Principal Investigator was listed as Kathleen Moore, Ph.D.

The funding agency for the project was listed as the Byrne Memorial Law Enforcement Trust Fund Grant. With an award of $25,000, the program was designed to run from 10/01/2004 to 09/30/2008.


Recent DUI Saturation Patrols in Hillsborough County, FL

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office recently issued a news release (Release Number: 22-164) from the HCSO Public Information Office.

The news release announced a Multi-Agency DUI Saturation. During the saturation patrol, deputies were looking for drunk and impaired drivers.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office conducted “Operation Turkey Trot” from Wednesday, November 23, 2022, through Sunday, November 27, 2022, to arrest drivers suspected of drug impairment or alcohol intoxication.

During the saturation patrol, officers with HCSO partnered with officers from the Tampa Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol. Volunteers with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) were also invited to participate.

The saturation patrol resulted in the following:

  • 40 DUI Arrests
  • 2 DUI Hospital Cases
  • 21 Citations
  • 253 Warnings
  • 268 Traffic Stops

Additional Resources

NHTSA on Impaired Driving – Visit the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to read more about a case study of “Creating Impaired Driver General Deterrence” through sustained, high-visibility, impaired-driving enforcement.

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Our Attorneys

Leslie M. Sammis

Leslie M. Sammis

Jason D. Sammis

Jason D. Sammis

Joshua L. Monteiro

Joshua L. Monteiro

Dominique Celerin

Dominique Celerin

Katherine A. Aranda

Katherine A. Aranda

Idalis Vento

Idalis Vento

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