halloween

Arizona DUI Lawyers at Corso Law Group Warn Arizonans of Increased DUIs this Halloween Weekend

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Traditionally, Halloween is a time that conjures up visions of costumes, candy and trick or treating. But the Arizona DUI lawyers at Scottsdale-based Corso Law Group know Halloween can also mean something far more serious: a Halloween DUI arrest.

Christopher Corso, founder of Corso Law Group, knows from experience the dangers a holiday weekend can bring. The lawyers at his firm have more than 60 years experience prosecuting and defending DUI offenders and they know when a holiday like Halloween falls on a weekend, there will be an increase in DUI arrests.

“Halloween isn’t just for the kids,” Corso said. “Adults often celebrate too with costume parties and a night out. When this type of event takes place over a weekend, people are more willing to drink and drive, which creates a dangerous situation on Arizona roads.”

Drunk driving accidents skyrocket when holidays fall on the weekend, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. An estimated 31 percent of all fatal drunk driving accidents occur over the weekend and at night when deadly crashes are four times higher.

Saturday nights, like Halloween this year, are the most dangerous times to drive as more people, including drunk drivers, are on the road, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports. Specifically, the highest number of drunk drivers are out between midnight and 3 a.m.

“Whether you’re going out on Halloween or know your kids will be out, understand that law enforcement will be patrolling for DUIs and other traffic violations,” Corso said.

Last Halloween, police set up saturation patrols throughout the Valley during Halloween weekend, with an especially large patrol engaged in Tempe, home to thousands of students at Arizona State University and entertainment venues on Mill Avenue.

Additional patrol units and motorcycle officers were visible in neighborhoods and on city streets, deployed to keep trick-or-treaters safe while curbing driving under the influence.

“It’s important that you safeguard your family this Halloween and think twice before drinking and driving,” Corso said. “A night of drinking and driving will definitely not end with a treat.”

Corso Law Group is an experienced team of legal professionals who have handled thousands of Arizona DUI cases. Founder Christopher Corso is a former Maricopa County prosecutor who can help with drunk driving cases as well as other criminal defense needs such as criminal speeding, CDL tickets, photo radar tickets, felony charges, drug possession, weapons possession, violent crimes and more.

To schedule a free consultation with Corso Law Group, please visit https://corsolawgroup.com or call (480) 471-4616.
Corso Law Group, PLLC is located at 17470 N. Pacesetter Way Scottsdale, AZ 85255.

About Corso Law Group
Founded by former prosecuting attorney Christopher P. Corso, Corso Law Group represents clients facing serious legal matters in Arizona and Texas. The firm uses its criminal defense experience to seek the best possible outcomes for its clients, with each case overseen by a team of experienced legal professionals dedicated to helping clients find their voice within the country’s judicial system. For more information, please visit www.corsolawgroup.com.

Spooky Crime: Does Criminal Activity Increase on Halloween?

Ghoulish behavior, scary costumes and plenty of tricks are a given on Halloween, but should you expect an increase in criminal activity on October 31? If you live in Tempe, Arizona, you might.

Based on a look at crime rates on Halloween in 10 different cities across the U.S., including Tempe, these are the determining factors for Halloween crime rates:

  • Day of the week Halloween falls on. If Halloween occurs over the weekend, parties and other activities could contribute to an increase in crimes on that specific day.
  • Common crimes specific to the city at hand.
  • Any crime prevention programs in place by the city.
  • Whether the city is a college town. University-age students are likely to celebrate Halloween with drinking and partying, which could lead to increased criminal activity.
  • Whether any Halloween activities are available for kids and teens. If structured Halloween activities are available, this could reduce the chance of kids and teens getting into legal trouble with pranks, like toilet papering a house, which could be considered vandalism.

In Tempe, theft, vandalism and simple assault top the charts for Halloween crimes, followed by alcohol-related incidents. With Tempe being home to Arizona State University, the largest public university in the U.S., parties and heavy traffic in popular entertainment areas like Mill Avenue make incidents such as DUI and assault fairly common, especially during holidays and special events like Halloween.

Of course, whether criminal activity spikes on Halloween in Arizona depends on a variety of environmental factors. And while these specific crimes are at the top of the list to look out for on Halloween in Tempe, it’s important to look at these results with an analytical eye.

Tempe’s crime rates fluctuate due to a drastic change in population during the workday, which increases by 46 percent each day thanks to high numbers of people from all over the Valley commuting to ASU as well as Tempe’s many employment hubs. Tempe was ranked eighth most dangerous suburb in America in a 2014 crime-rate compilation by real estate company Movoto LLC, however, this does not necessarily mean that Tempe is a dangerous city.

Crime rates are determined by dividing the number of crimes reported by the city’s residential population, which means that Tempe’s inflated daytime population could skew its data, resulting in misleading crime rates. This same issue is also true for any special event or holiday that generates a crowd or celebration, like Halloween.

So, should Arizona residents be worried about an increase in crimes on Halloween? Not necessarily. Just be aware that there’s always a risk of criminal behaviour when crowds and parties are involved. Otherwise, following the same safety precautions practiced on an everyday basis, like locking up and keeping a close eye on kids, should do the trick.

Award Logo
Award Logo
Award Logo
Award Logo
Award Logo