Arrested for DUI on New Year's Eve?
Police may increase DUI patrols and checkpoints around New Year's Eve; enforcement varies by area.
New Year's Eve arrests happen in the early hours of January 1, often at sobriety checkpoints near downtown celebrations. Because the arrest date falls on a holiday, people commonly miscount how many days they have left. If you were arrested, you're not alone — and the steps you take in the next few days matter more than anything.
WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT A NEW YEAR'S EVE ARREST
- •Your deadline counts from the arrest date on your paperwork, which is often January 1, not December 31
- •January 1 is a court and agency holiday, so your first chance to act may be January 2
- •Keep rideshare or bar receipts that show your night's timeline
In states with an administrative license hearing, the deadline to request one ranges from 6 to 90 days.
All 50 state guides →Other holiday arrests: Fourth of July · Labor Day · Thanksgiving
WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW
- •Don't discuss your case with anyone except a lawyer
- •Write down everything you remember about the arrest
- •Request your admin hearing immediately — your deadline starts NOW
- •Select your state above for specific guidance and deadlines