As Thanksgiving week begins a busy stretch of parties and family gatherings that runs through New Year’s Day, Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer Matthew Glassman is urging South Florida drivers to plan a sober ride before the celebrating starts. He is also reminding residents what to do if a holiday traffic stop turns into a DUI arrest.
Why the Holidays Bring More DUI Arrests
Holiday travel and celebrations put more drunk drivers on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ranks the Thanksgiving holiday period, which runs from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 5:59 a.m. Monday, among the deadliest times of year for alcohol-impaired driving. The night before Thanksgiving, often called “Blackout Wednesday,” is one of the biggest bar nights of the year.
Enforcement increases as December goes on. NHTSA’s national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign runs from December 16, 2026, through January 1, 2027, and law enforcement agencies across Florida typically take part with extra patrols.
“Every holiday season, I get calls from people who never expected to be arrested. They had a few drinks at a party and thought they were fine to drive home,” said Broward County criminal defense attorney Matthew Glassman. “The best outcome is never needing a lawyer. Plan a ride home before the first drink.”
How to Celebrate Safely
Plan before going out:
Choose a designated driver before the party, not after.
Use a rideshare, taxi or public transit, or plan to stay overnight.
If hosting a party, offer non-alcoholic drinks and help guests get home safely.
Remember that prescription drugs and marijuana can also lead to a DUI charge.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Florida
If a driver blows 0.08 or higher or refuses testing, the arresting officer suspends the license on the spot. The driver has only 10 days from the arrest to request a formal review hearing to challenge that suspension or apply for a hardship license. Missing that deadline is one of the most common and costly mistakes a DUI defense attorney sees.
Refusing a Breath Test Is Now a Crime
Under Trenton’s Law, which took effect October 1, 2025, refusing a lawful breath or urine test after a DUI arrest is a crime even the first time. A first refusal is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, on top of a license suspension. A second refusal is a first-degree misdemeanor.
Penalties for a First DUI
A first DUI conviction in Florida can bring:
A fine of $500 to $1,000, or $1,000 to $2,000 with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher or a minor in the car
Up to six months in jail, or up to nine months in those same aggravated cases
License revocation of at least 180 days and up to one year
50 hours of community service, probation, DUI school and a 10-day vehicle impoundment
A DUI conviction cannot be sealed or expunged in Florida, so it stays on a person’s record permanently.
Why Early Legal Help from a Broward County DUI Lawyer Matters
The days right after an arrest in Broward County, FL affect both the license case and the criminal case. Body camera video, breath test maintenance records and the reason for the traffic stop can all become part of the defense. Matthew Glassman encourages anyone who is searching for a criminal defense attorney after a holiday arrest to call before the 10-day deadline passes.
“A DUI arrest is not a conviction,” said Matthew Glassman. “There are real defenses, but many of them depend on acting quickly.”
About the Law Office of Matthew Glassman
Based at 600 SW 4th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, FL, the Law Office of Matthew Glassman, P.A. represents clients facing drug crimes, trafficking charges, DUI, domestic violence, weapons offenses, and other criminal matters throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties. The firm holds a 5.0-star rating on Google based on over 300 client reviews and Matthew Glassman is rated Superb (10.0) by Avvo.
Anyone facing criminal charges in Broward or Palm Beach County, FL, is encouraged to contact the firm for a free consultation.