As a board-certified criminal trial lawyer in Tampa, Florida, I, W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr., have extensive experience defending DUI cases across Pasco County. With aggressive enforcement efforts from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol, DUI arrests in this area are surprisingly high compared to more populated counties. Understanding the key locations and enforcement strategies can help drivers navigate these challenges and defend their rights effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the most common locations for DUI arrests in Pasco County?

The most frequently targeted areas include:
Interstate 75
US Highway 19
The Suncoast Parkway (State Road 589)
US Highway 301
US Highway 41
State Road 54
State Road 52
State Road 56

What is the Selective Traffic Enforcement Patrol (STEP) Unit?

STEP is a specialized unit within the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office focused on aggressive DUI enforcement, particularly during nighttime hours when DUI-related crashes are most common.

Does Pasco County conduct DUI checkpoints?

Yes, but some have been invalidated in court due to procedural errors. DUI checkpoints must follow strict legal guidelines to be considered valid.

Why does Pasco County have such a high number of DUI arrests?

Despite having a smaller population, Pasco County has been known to aggressively enforce DUI laws, often leading the state in DUI arrests.

How can a DUI defense attorney help if I’m arrested in Pasco County?

A knowledgeable DUI lawyer can challenge the arrest, examine procedural errors, question checkpoint validity, and seek to reduce or dismiss charges based on legal defenses.

Top DUI Arrest Locations in Pasco County

For those facing DUI charges in Pasco County, seeking legal representation is crucial. Contact me, W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr., at (813) 222-2220 for a consultation and experienced DUI defense.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, they enforce DUI Laws, “[b]y using a data driven approach specific areas that have been identified as high crash locations are selected for saturation patrols which are also known as Wolf packs. The STEP Unit aggressively patrol these areas to locate and arrest impaired drivers. Wolf Pack operations may be conducted at any time or place with or without prior warning.” We thought we would run down a list of the most frequent locations where we find DUI cases in Pasco County, Florida. Interstate 75, US Highway 19, The Suncoast Parkway State Road 589, US Highway 301, US Highway 41, State Road 54, State Road 52, and State Road 56.

The Pasco County Sheriff and the Florida Highway Patrol are the primary enforcers. The Sheriff has noted, “The Selective Traffic Enforcement Patrol Unit (S.T.E.P.) The S.T.E.P. Unit is part of the Traffic Enforcement Section of the Sheriff’s Office which also contains the Motor Unit. The S.T.E.P. Unit uses six deputies to actively enforce traffic laws in Pasco County mainly during the nighttime hours which have a higher rate or alcohol and/or drug related crashes. The unit’s goal is to reduce the collisions involving alcohol and narcotics. The unit’s main function is the detection and apprehension of drivers who are suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. The cops in Pasco will frequently sign their names to DUI citations with a notation that they are “STEP” deputies (Selective Traffic Enforcement Patrol Unit).

Florida Highway Patrol – Pasco County DUI Arrest Contest

Pasco County’s Florida Highway Patrol Troop has proudly claimed the title for most DUI arrests in the State of Florida. This is troubling, since the county only has a population of around 470,000. Hillsborough County has 1,250,000, Miami/Dade has 2,500,000, and Orange County has 1,200,000 residents. How can this small county cause trouble for so many residents?

Florida Highway Patrol spokesman for the highway patrol’s Tampa Bay area troop says, “Pasco County does not necessarily have a higher number of DUI drivers, but more are arrested in Pasco County . . . .” We have noticed an extraordinary number of DUI arrests in Pasco County. Trooper Ron Evans is a winning contestant in this rather serious game. We ask how can a small Florida county “win” this contest repeatedly?

One media source reports,”troopers made 942 DUI arrests in Pasco, compared to 294 in Hillsborough County.” The report also noted, “While Evans was a finalist for the award in 2010 he was bested by Trooper Michael Hollis, Jr. who also works in the Land O’ Lakes area, with 203 DUI arrests in 2009. In 2008, their colleague Terry Goswick Jr. captured the award with 190 arrests in 2009.”

Pasco County DUI Checkpoint Invalidated

This small county is also known for having conducted invalid DUI checkpoints when defense attorneys, watching video of the operation noted violations of rules established by the courts. The procedural method requires the stopping of vehicles according to a precise previously-announced plan of action. DUI charges in thos cases were tossed by the Judge(s).

According to the Sheriff, “Sobriety checkpoints are an effective law enforcement tool involving the stopping of a specific sequence of vehicles, at a predetermined fixed location to detect impaired drivers. These operations not only serve as a specific deterrent by arresting impaired drivers who pass through the checkpoints, but more importantly, as a general deterrent to persons who have knowledge of the operation. Local law enforcement agencies and the Florida Highway Patrol participate in regular DUI Checkpoints.” Unfortunately for some drivers, who may not have had lawyers, their convictions may be on their record to this day.

View Larger Map of Pasco County DUI Hot Spots

Sources: http://www.pascosheriff.com/websmart/pasco/static/PCSO-DUI%20enforcement.htm

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12000.html
Pasco County DUI Lawyer Attorney

US Highway 19

DUI in a Tesla – What happens when an officer pulls over a self-driving car? Can the officer charge anyone with a DUI in a self-driving Tesla? Some Scholars have written about this and I thought we might review this issue. Tesla automobiles have an autopilot feature. It is not truly self-driving as Tesla has referred to it as semi-autonomous driving. Other car companies have also tried developing autopilot technology.

What happens when an officer pulls over a self-driving car?

Understanding DUI Charges and Self-Driving Teslas

Read on to learn about the legal implications of being pulled over in a self-driving Tesla.

Can an Officer Charge Anyone with a DUI in a Self-Driving Tesla?

Self-driving technology has been gaining momentum in recent years, with companies like Tesla at the forefront of this emerging industry. However, this technology has raised questions about how law enforcement officers will handle DUI charges when it comes to self-driving cars. In the case of a self-driving Tesla, the driver is not technically in control of the vehicle, which complicates matters for law enforcement officials.

Scholars’ Perspectives on the Issue

Legal scholars have written extensively on this topic, and there is no clear consensus on how the law should treat self-driving vehicles. Some argue that the driver is still responsible for any DUI charges that may arise, as they are ultimately in control of the vehicle, even if they are not physically driving it. Others believe that the responsibility should fall on the car’s manufacturer, as they are the ones who designed and produced the vehicle’s self-driving technology.

Navigating the Future of Transportation

As the technology behind self-driving cars continues to develop, it is likely that we will see more legal and regulatory changes in how they are treated under the law. In the meantime, it is important for both law enforcement officials and the general public to educate themselves on the current state of the law and how it may apply in cases involving self-driving vehicles.

Stay informed about the latest developments in self-driving technology and the law by following reputable sources and consulting with legal professionals as needed.

Here are a few sources to support the information presented:

• “Self-Driving Cars and the Law: A Survey of Legal Issues Surrounding Autonomous Vehicles” by Bryant Walker Smith, University of South Carolina School of Law
• “Autonomous Vehicle Law: An Overview” by Jim Chen, University of Louisville – Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
• “Legal Aspects of Autonomous Driving” by Markus Maurer, J. Christian Gerdes, Barbara Lenz, Hermann Winner, and Gereon Meyer, IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Magazine
• “Regulating Self-Driving Cars” by Matthew W. Daus, Transportation Law Journal
• “The End of Traffic Stops? Reimagining Public Safety for the Self-Driving Future” by Bryant Walker Smith, Harvard Journal of Law & Technology

These sources provide in-depth analysis of the legal and regulatory issues surrounding self-driving cars, including the potential implications for DUI charges.

California Highway Patrol Charges Driver With DUI in a Tesla.

In January 2018, in San Francisco, a person in a Tesla car had an alcohol level twice the legal limit. The Tesla’s operator received a DUI. Tesla has instructed drivers using autopilot to maintain consciousness while driving. Also, Tesla tells drivers using autopilot to keep their hands on the steering wheel. In this arrest, the driver explained that the Tesla was on autopilot to the California Highway Patrol. Even with the driver’s explanation, the officer arrested and charged the driver with DUI. The California Highway Patrol tweeted that the car did not drive itself to the tow yard.

Will Florida Officers Charge Drivers With DUI in a Tesla?

Florida law prohibits an intoxicated driver from being in actual physical control of a vehicle. The car does not need to be moving at the time of a DUI arrest. Florida only requires that the vehicle is capable of being moved. The case law discusses the location of the keys and whether or not the car is operable. Under this broad definition of driving that includes the capacity of physical control of the car, it is highly unlikely the operator of a self-driving car would beat a DUI on that defense. It is probable that the court would find the driver was in actual physical control of the vehicle. Hence, some cars equipped with these automatic driving features have contracts that require the user to keep hands on the steering wheel even when the vehicle is in autopilot mode.