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Tougher penalties and avenues for treatment are part of a package of DUI laws enacted by Delaware Governor Jack Markell.

Markell, state legislators and law enforcement officials stood in front of the wreckage of a car involved in a fatal DUI accident for the bill-signing at the Minquas Fire Company in Newport.

“These bills accomplish several things,” Markell said. “They increase the penalties for repeat offenders. They provide more substance abuse treatment for people who need it. They provide better and more efficient use of our limited resources. And, above all, they make our roads safer.”

One law targets repeat offenders in particular, those who have been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence. Anyone found guilty of a second DUI offense within a ten-year period would be subject to enhanced penalties of up to 60 days in jail. A third offense could result in a three-month term, and a fourth conviction could lead to six months behind bars, with further stepwise increases. The court may suspend up to half of the minimum sentence for offenders while requiring the offender to take part in an intensive treatment program. Requirements would include abstinence from alcohol for at least 90 days and the wearing of a monitoring device that can detect alcohol use.
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Police in Delaware arrested 15 people for driving under the influence last weekend as part of a statewide crackdown against drunk driving, according to the state Office of Highway Safety.

During the third week of the “Checkpoint Strikeforce” multi-state campaign against impaired driving, the New Castle County DUI Task Force, Millsboro Police Department and Delaware State Police Troop 5 conducted checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols.

In addition to the checkpoint DUI arrests, officers issued six seat belt violations, captured six wanted persons, made 11 drug arrests, six felony arrests, issued two child restraint citations and 46 more citations for various other traffic violations.
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A retired state trooper who now heads Delaware’s Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement faces a drunk-driving charge after being arrested early this morning north of Lewes.

Siobhan G. Sullivan, 46, also was charged with speeding in her state-owned SUV when state troopers pulled her over at 3:40 a.m. on Del. 1 near Minos Conaway Road, court records show.

Sullivan, who was former Gov. Ruth Ann Minner’s security chief before she took the new post in November 2008, has been placed on administrative leave with pay “pending further review,’’ Kimberly H. Chandler, spokeswoman for the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, which oversees Sullivan’s division, said in a written news release.

Known as DATE, the division that Sullivan heads is responsible for enforcing Delaware’s laws that govern who can supply, sell or transport alcohol, as well as laws that restrict youths from using alcohol or tobacco, and has agents that routinely conduct undercover investigations at bars and liquor stores.

Sullivan did not return calls today. Neither did Chandler or Lewis D. Schirillo, secretary of Safety and Homeland Security.

State police would not discuss the arrest of their former colleague. Spokesman Sgt. Walter Newton referred questions to Schirillo’s office, which also oversees state police.

Court papers, in the form of a Uniform Traffic Complaint and summons, provide only bare-bones details about the arrest. They said a trooper using radar clocked Sullivan’s state-owned 2007 black Dodge Durango going 71 mph in a 55 mph zone. The papers said she was charged with speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol, but provided no other details about the arrest.

Been arrested for DUI in Delaware?

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With St. Patrick’s Day a week away, Delaware highway officials are urging holiday revelers to avoid drinking and driving. Police across the state will be cracking down on those who do.

National statistics show that in 2008, 50 people died in traffic crashes involving an impaired driver on St. Patrick’s Day.

That is why the state Office of Highway Safety is coordinating statewide DUI enforcement for the upcoming weekend, St. Patrick’s Day itself and the following weekend as well.  Fifteen state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies are scheduled to conduct a total of 127 DUI Saturation patrols March 13, 17 and 19– 20.

Additionally, the New Castle County DUI Task Force will conduct an 8-hour-long sobriety checkpoint on March 13t to coincide with the annual St. Patrick’s Day Loop (or Shamrock Shuttle), which involves activities at several bars in Wilmington.  OHS has placed a designated driver message on Loop bracelets that every participant must wear throughout the night.

Agencies conducting patrols include: Camden police, Delaware State Police, Dover police, Felton police, Georgetown police, Laurel police, Middletown police, Milford police, Milton police, New Castle City police, New Castle County police, Newark police, Rehoboth Beach police, Seaford police and Wyoming police.  Last year, police arrested 52 people for DUI during St. Patrick’s Day enforcement activities.

According to the OHS, in 2009, 35 percent (41 of 117) of all vehicle deaths in Delaware were alcohol-related. Since Jan. 1 of this year, three of the state’s 18 motor vehicle fatalities have been alcohol-related.  For more information on OHS’s year round DUI efforts, visit  www.ohs.delaware.gov .

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DOVER, Del.- Nationwide in 2008, 58 percent of all fatalities nationwide on Halloween night were alcohol-related, according to the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. That is why the OHS is coordinating statewide stepped up enforcement of Delaware’s impaired driving laws throughout the coming Halloween weekend as part of the state’s Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign.

Five sobriety checkpoints, along with several DUI saturation patrols, are planned for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. In addition, the New Castle County DUI Task Force will conduct an 8-hour checkpoint in the Wilmington area to coincide with the popular Halloween loop.
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A Wilmington man is charged with DUI and resisting arrest for allegedly fighting with police officers during a traffic stop, to the point where he was tasered.

State Police say a female trooper saw Bernard Lawrence run a red light on Route 40 eastbound at Wilton Boulevard around 3 Tuesday morning, and when she pulled Lawrence over, the trooper suspected Lawrence was under the influence.

The trooper told Lawrence to get out of his car, but Lawrence refused and fought with her and a County officer who’d arrived to help.

The County cop tasered Lawrence, who was charged with running the red light, driving while suspended and no proof of insurance in addition to the DUI and resisting arrest counts.

He’s being held at the Howard Young Prison.

If you have been accused of Wilmington, Delaware drunk driving waste no time contacting a drunk driving attorney.

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A man was arrested for DUI and having a gun and ammo in his glove box in Ogletown, Delaware Friday.

He was originally stopped around 8 p.m. for a minor traffic violation on Route 273 south of Route 4.

He was charged with DUI and carrying a concealed deadly weapon. He was released on bail.

The Delaware DUI suspect is a resident of Middletown, DE.

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Have you been arrested for drunk driving in Delaware?

Delaware DUI law states: anyone who drives, operates or has actual physical control of a vehicle, off-highway vehicle or moped while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. All such persons, by so doing, shall be deemed to have given consent to a chemical test or test of blood, breath and/or urine for the purpose of determining the presence of alcohol and drugs.

A person who drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs is subject to both criminal and administrative penalties.

A person convicted of driving under the influence in another state will have his/her driving privileges revoked in Delaware.

A  Delaware DUI conviction is a burden and can bare great consequences such as loss of driving privileges, jail time, big fines, installation of an ignition interlock device in your car,mandatory DUI classes and not to mention the inconvenience and embarrassment. Not fun. The exact sentencing will usually vary depending on a number of factors such as whether or not you refused a sobriety test, your blood alcohol levels (BAC) and other technicalities related to your case. Immediately after your DE DUI arrest you should contact a top Delaware DUI lawyer to go over the exact details of your case.

Delaware DUI Lawyers

DE DUI lawyers are of great help in defending you from a DUI conviction or minimizing the penalties you may pay for a Delaware DUI conviction. They know the law and loopholes that can be used in your defense and ultimatly free you of a Delaware DUI charge (e.g. was there really probable cause to stop the man above?). Most of them offer a free confidential consultation to go over your case that can show you how to best clean up this mess you have made. Contact a Delaware DUI lawyer today.

Those stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence in Delaware will be facing twice the fines, and repeat offenders could be sentenced to jail for up to 15 years.

Gov. Jack Markell signed into law legislation calling for an increase in fines for first offense DE DUI from $230 to $500, with repeat offenders subject to $15,000 fines. The potential jail sentence for repeat offenders was tripled, to a maximum of 15 years. With a blood alcohol content of .15% or higher both first time and repeat offenders will have their driver’s licenses suspended for six months and be required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles.

On average, 7000 arrests for DUI in Delaware are made each year. 30 percent are repeat offenders.

When accused of DUI in Delaware, you should always hire a Delaware DUI lawyer as soon as possible.

Newport Police Chief Michael Capriglione, who heads the New Castle County Checkpoint Strikeforce, says police set up a checkpoint from 9 p.m. Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday at 141 North and Interstate 95.

Police say two Wilmington men were arrested after officers found marijuana and a concealed handgun at a DUI checkpoint in New Castle.

Capriglione says the two men charged with possession of a handgun were 25-year-old Lynn Daniels and 23-year-old Maurice Harrisan.

He says they arrested 14 people for driving under the influence, six people for drug possession and cited 44 others for criminal and traffic violations.
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What can I say, don’t go through a Delaware DUI checkpoint looking stoned with guns and drugs on you.

DOVER, Del.- State highway safety officials have scheduled three sobriety checkpoints and 214 DUI saturation patrols in Delaware beginning Friday, Aug. 29 and running through Labor Day, Sept. 1.

The state Office of Highway Safety said the enforcement activities will supplement what is expected to be an already heightened police presence from state and municipal police agencies for the holiday weekend.  After a deadly couple of weeks on Delaware roadways, particularly for pedestrians and motorcyclists, OHS officials say they hope the additional patrols will prevent further needless loss of life.

“The rash of fatal traffic crashes which has occurred over the last two weeks is nothing short of tragic,” said Tricia Roberts, OHS director.  “Unfortunately crashes are often preventable, so we are asking motorists to slow down, not to drive or ride impaired, and to always buckle up.  We also ask pedestrians to follow basic safety rules when crossing Delaware roads. We will have police on the lookout to arrest anyone who chooses to ignore or violate state laws and put themselves or others in danger.”

The following sobriety checkpoints are scheduled for the Labor Day weekend:

Friday, Aug. 29

• Wilmington (New Castle County DUI Task Force)

• Delaware beach area (Delaware State Police Troop 7)

Saturday, Aug. 30

• Dover area  (Delaware State Police Troop 3)

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Remember don’t drink and drive! Call a limo if you have to!