The holiday season: the most wonderful time of the year for an uptick in crime rates. Sure, it's about other things, too, but crime really does spike around the holidays.
Major holidays occur between the end of November and the beginning of January. It can be a wonderful time of the year, but it's also stressful. There can be issues with paying for gifts, going to parties, and traveling extensively, to name just a few. That's why the holidays are also a time when people behave in ways they wouldn’t the rest of the year — sometimes, against their better judgment. For example, it's easy to have one too many cocktails at a holiday party without realizing that it's not safe to drive home. This leads to more DUI accidents and arrests between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.
Nobody wants to celebrate the holidays in prison, so here are six of the most common holiday crimes, how to avoid them, and what to do if you find criminal charges in your stocking this year! (Hint: Call a criminal defense attorney.)
Drunk Driving and Holiday Parties
From spiked eggnog to celebratory shots at your company’s holiday party, many people drink more than usual around the holidays. Despite how easy it is to schedule an Uber or Lyft, some people underestimate how much they’ve had to drink. Even Santa Claus has been known to knock back more than a few come Christmastime.
It should come as no surprise that there are more drunk driving arrests during the holidays than at any other time of year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the numbers are so high that the government spends more than $14 million on safe driving advertising in December alone.
If you’re attending a holiday soiree or hosting a party, ensure you and your guests have a safe way home. The last thing you want to do is start the new year behind bars or facing jail time.
Domestic Violence Increases This Time of Year
Spending a lot of time with your family can lead to stress and frustration. Law enforcement in many jurisdictions reports an increase in domestic violence during the holidays, along with a rise in shelter services this time of year.
The holidays can be rough on relationships (divorces increase beginning in January), but domestic violence is never excusable. If you’re dealing with abuse or domestic violence in your home, it’s vital that you talk to family members and ask them to help you stay safe.
Shoplifting Must Seem Easier in December
Not everyone can afford expensive holiday gifts. That’s why we either scale back or find other presents our friends and family will enjoy. Sadly, some people resort to stealing.
With so many shoppers in the store and so much inventory on the shelves, it may seem easier to slip something into your pocket or to "forget" to pay for something in the self-checkout lane. Just remember - Santa isn’t the only one watching! Stores have security cameras everywhere, and the odds of you getting away with stealing are not worth it compared to the punishment you could face if caught.
Whether it's walking out of Target without paying for a video game or stealing from the Salvation Army's "Toys for Tots" bin, shoplifting spikes during the holiday season. Always remember -- a lovely card, even without a present, is better than a call from jail.
It’s Easy Pickings for Online Thieves During the Holiday Season
If you’re like the rest of us, you buy most of your holiday gifts online. Not only is it easier, but it’s also a lot more convenient. Unfortunately, if unwary, you open yourself up to scams and identity theft.
Be careful when shopping online this year. Limit yourself to trusted sources where you know your private information is safe and secure. If you find yourself tempted to resort to catfishing or stealing private information, consider the risk/reward of your behavior.
Burglars and Pickpockets Are Busy Around the Holidays
If you’re out and about doing your holiday shopping, keep an eye on your wallet and purse. Would-be thieves know that you’re stressed and busy. It takes but a moment for them to distract you while their buddy reaches into your coat pocket to steal your wallet, keys, or phone.
You should also be careful when walking to your car in random parking lots at night. If you’re like many people, you’ll end up parking miles from the department store or mall. There could be people lying in wait to steal or hijack your car.
Not So Merry Porch Pirates and Package Theft
Kids may still like pirates, but the rest of us hate the phenomenon known as “porch pirates.” While you’re at work, smooth criminals are waiting for the perfect moment to ransack your porch for expensive packages.
Even if you have a doorbell camera or a high-end security system, you're still at risk. Porch pirates have no problem walking right up to your door, grabbing your packaging, and coolly walking back to their car. They know the cops are busy this time of year and won’t be able to dedicate all that much time to tracking down petty criminals.
Will You Need to Call a Criminal Defense Attorney This Holiday Season?
Being the victim of a holiday crime (like having your gift stolen by a porch pirate) is bad. But it's even worse if you're the one being charged with a crime. What may seem like a good idea at the time can turn into the biggest mistake you ever make. If the police arrest you for any of the crimes we discussed here, you’ll face possible jail time and fines.
If you wake up on New Year’s Day in a lonely jail cell, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately. What is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year may turn into your worst nightmare.
Related Resources:
- Find Criminal Defense Lawyers Near You (FindLaw's Lawyer Directory)
- 5 Dumb Ways to Get Arrested Over Christmas (FindLaw's Blotter)
- Identity Theft - FindLaw (Learn About the Law)
