When Your Life Is On The Line

When Your Life is on The Line Talk to us Today
  1. Home
  2.  » 
  3. Drunk Driving
  4.  » Did police have valid grounds to pull you over for suspected DUI?

Did police have valid grounds to pull you over for suspected DUI?

On Behalf of | Sep 21, 2018 | Drunk Driving

DUI charges in Florida can bring serious, life-altering consequences. Whether it is your first offense, or you have other DUI convictions on your record, you understand how important it is to confront these charges and defend yourself. Building a strong defense starts with a careful evaluation of your arrest and the details of your case.

It is beneficial to start by evaluating the initial suspected DUI traffic stop. If the police lacked valid grounds to pull you over, you could have grounds to challenge the evidence against you. To understand more about reasonable suspicion and the most beneficial approach to your defense strategy against DUI charges, you may start with a complete evaluation of your case. 

When is a traffic stop valid?

Police cannot pull you over without cause. There must be clear reasons to suspect drunk driving, called reasonable suspicion. Without reasonable suspicion, your traffic stop may have been in violation of your civil rights. Some valid reasons to pull a person over for suspected drunk driving include the following:

  • Straddling the center line while driving
  • Swerving in the lane
  • Driving at erratic speeds
  • Stopping in the road for no reason

This is not an exhaustive list of what could be reasonable suspicion. Police officers have the right to determine any type of dangerous or risky behavior as a reason to stop a driver. It can ultimately come down to your word against the law enforcement officer’s, which is why it is important to work with an experienced defense attorney if you believe you experienced a violation of your rights during the traffic stop.

A conviction for drunk driving can lead to consequences that include fines, time behind bars and loss of the right to drive. These can seriously affect your life in many ways, and it is prudent to work to avoid maximum penalties or a conviction altogether.

Where should you start?

If you believe there was no reasonable suspicion and police did not have a valid reason to pull you over, it is important to take immediate action to protect your rights. Your situation is complex, but it is possible to fight for a beneficial outcome to your case.

A complete evaluation of your case is a good place to start. This can help you understand your legal options and allow you to move forward with the right course of action for your defense strategy.

Categories

Archives