Being pulled over for a DUI is a frightening experience. At first you may not know what to do say or do, or even why you have been stopped. Knowing what types of driving patterns, or what types of behavior during a traffic stop lead an officer to believe you have been drinking and driving will help you to understand what to expect if you are eventually charged with DUI. Part of being able to recognize what the cops will look for is the first step in this process.
Five things that police commonly look for when they believe a person has been driving over the legal limit include:
- Erratic driving patterns such as weaving in and out of traffic, driving too slow or excessive speed.
- Ignoring stop signs, stop lights, or other traffic signals.
- Having an odor of alcohol on your person.
- Blurry or red eyes.
- An inability to speak clearly.
Any one of these behaviors will cause the police to suspect you were drinking too much before driving and could cause a ticket for DUI to be written. If you are charged with DUI there are some things you have to do right away and the first one is to call a qualified DUI defense attorney and ask for help getting your driver’s license back. With every DUI arrest the driver’s license is taken away, and if you do not make a request for a review of that revocation within ten days of the arrest you will not be able to drive for a period of time. You should also ask that the stop be investigated, to make sure it was valid and that the officer had a good reason to pull you over. Examining the test results is also necessary because many times the machines used to determine your BAC have not been properly maintained or are not functioning properly at the time of your stop. Any one of these things can be reason to ask for your case to be dismissed or for the charges to at least be reduced. We have experience in all of these areas and can help you protect yourself from the harsh consequences that go along with being arrested for DUI.
If you have been arrested for DUI, call our office for help. Contact us today schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast. The first visit is a free initial consultation.