There may be nothing more frightening when you are driving than seeing red and blue flashing police lights in your rear-view mirror. You can immediately get nervous and scared, especially if you have had something to drink.
Those minutes when you are stopped on the side of the road can prove to be life-changing if you are ultimately arrested for drunk driving. Some people in this situation go on auto-pilot and just comply with police orders without question; others let their emotions get the best of them and become confrontational, making matters worse. In either case, you may not be able to accurately assess your situation until much later.
There are several chains of events that take place in the course of a traffic stop when a driver is suspected of drunk driving. There is the initial stop, the field sobriety and breath tests and the arrest. At each of these points, there are specific rules in place that must be followed.
For example, an officer must have probable cause to pull over a driver in the first place. During a stop, the officer must have legitimate suspicions that a driver may be impaired before administering tests, which must also be conducted according to state and federal laws.
In the heat of the moment, drivers do not always remember their legal rights and options. Some people may not realize that there are these protections in the first place. But police officers are aware of them, and some may try to capitalize on the fact that they have an advantage over the average driver.
However, having legal representation can level the playing field. In many cases, it can be proven that police officers failed to comply with the law or violated the rights of a driver, which can lead to a reduction or dismissal of charges.
Our legal staff can help you explore your options for a defense by scrutinizing the details of your arrest. To learn more about our firm and how to contact us to discuss your case, please visit our webpage on DUI defense.