Fourth of July in Tampa comes with fireworks, barbecues… and the flashing blue lights of Operation Red, White & Sober. Law enforcement wasn’t exactly in the holiday spirit this year if you’d been tipping back a few too many White Claws.
Between July 4th and 6th, Tampa PD and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office were out in force, nabbing anyone who dared hit the road under the influence. TPD alone bagged 29 DUI arrests—and they weren’t shy about blasting that number on social media. Meanwhile, the Sheriff’s Office hauled in 45 DUI arrests, stacked on top of 303 traffic stops, 47 citations, and 246 warnings. Sheriff Chronister practically shouted from the rooftops: “If you drive drunk in Hillsborough County, expect to be arrested.” They mean it.
Tampa isn’t merely tough on DUI—it’s probably Florida’s heavyweight champ. Why?
- They team up like The Avengers. TPD, Hillsborough deputies, Temple Terrace PD—they all combine forces, running checkpoints, roving patrols, and surprise stops like it’s some covert mission.
- Numbers don’t lie. Over 300 traffic stops in three days? That’s not normal traffic enforcement; that’s hunting season.
- They love a public shaming. TPD proudly posts arrest tallies, reminding everyone Tampa’s roads are no place for drunk driving shenanigans.
- They never sleep. Holiday weekend or random Tuesday—Tampa cops stay on high alert for DUIs all year.
What’s this mean for folks who get caught up in the dragnet? Tampa courts don’t exactly hand out second chances with a side of forgiveness. Prosecutors are relentless. Police reports tend to be thorough. There’s usually video footage, body cam, breathalyzer readings… you name it. And once your name’s in the system, the stakes are sky-high.
That’s why The Ticket Clinic steps in early. Because fighting a DUI in Tampa is no joke. Whether it’s challenging probable cause, breath test results, or even the validity of a checkpoint stop, it’s all about getting ahead of the case before the State buries you in paperwork. Click here to contact our Tampa office location.
Long story short: Tampa wants you to party safe—or not at all. If you wind up in cuffs during a no-nonsense operation like Red, White & Sober, better call folks who know every inch of the courtroom battlefield. Otherwise, your Fourth of July memories might include fireworks… and a mugshot.
