The holiday season brings joy and celebration, but it also brings a sharp increase in DUI arrests across Seattle and Washington State. More people drink during the holidays, law enforcement increases patrols, and the combination leads to more arrests. 

If you or someone you know is facing DUI charges from a holiday arrest, you need to act quickly. A Seattle DUI defense lawyer can protect your rights and help you understand your options before it's too late.

More Holiday Parties Mean More Drinking

The obvious reason DUI arrests spike during the holidays is simple: more people are drinking. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, there are countless office parties, family gatherings, and social events where alcohol flows freely. Many people who rarely drink during the year have multiple drinks at these celebrations.

Work parties create a false sense of security. You might think having a few drinks with coworkers is safe because you're celebrating, but the drive home is just as risky as any other time. Family gatherings often involve drinking throughout the day, making it harder to track how much alcohol is actually in your system.

Law Enforcement Knows When to Look

Police departments in Seattle and across Washington don't just wait for DUI drivers to appear. They plan for the holidays with increased DUI patrols and sobriety checkpoints. The numbers tell the story: during one recent Thanksgiving weekend, at least 32 suspected DUI drivers were arrested in King County between Wednesday and Saturday night, according to Washington State Patrol reports. That's just four days.

Last New Year's Eve, Seattle Police conducted a high-visibility DUI patrol that resulted in 6 DUI arrests out of 62 drivers stopped. Three of those arrested already had prior DUI convictions. One driver had four previous DUIs on their record.

The highest-risk periods include:

- Thanksgiving Eve (one of the biggest drinking nights of the year)

- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

- New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

- Weekend nights throughout December

Law enforcement officers are trained to spot even minor traffic violations that might indicate a drunk driver, like weaving slightly or going five miles over the speed limit. 

Stress and Social Pressure Play a Role

The holidays aren't joyful for everyone. Financial stress, family tension, and seasonal depression lead some people to drink more than usual. Social pressure at holiday events can make it hard to say no to another drink, especially when others are celebrating around you.

When you combine increased drinking or texting and driving with the need to drive home from scattered locations across Seattle, the risk goes up. 

What to Do If You're Arrested

A DUI arrest during the holidays can feel overwhelming, but you have rights. Washington State has strict DUI laws, and the penalties can affect your license, your job, and your freedom. The prosecution will move forward with or without your full understanding of the process.

Take these steps immediately:

- Request a hearing with the Department of Licensing within seven days to protect your license

- Don't talk to the police without a lawyer present

- Contact a criminal defense attorney who handles DUI cases

Getting Legal Help Matters

The sooner you call a lawyer, the better your chances of fighting the charges or reducing the penalties. A DUI conviction stays on your record and can impact your life for years. An experienced criminal defense attorney knows how to challenge the evidence, question the traffic stop, and protect your future.

Don't wait to get help. Contact a qualified DUI defense attorney immediately to discuss your case and start building your defense. Call Lewis & Laws today for a confidential consultation.