Santa Ana Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer
The initial police stop that leads to a drunk driving arrest and criminal charges is an important issue to review in a Santa Ana DUI case. In order to stop a driver for suspected DUI and to then make an arrest, the law enforcement officer must have probable cause. Probable cause may be established in different ways and is essentially a sufficient reason to make an arrest or to take some form of action, such as pulling a driver over to the side of the road. This must be more than just a suspicion or "hunch" and must be enough to warrant the DUI stop or arrest.
Looking at probable cause and whether you were the victim of an unlawful DUI stop is an important part of building a strong DUI defense strategy on your behalf. To learn more about your particular case and how our law firm can help, contact a Santa Ana DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Thomas Tears today. We are standing by to see how we can assist you.
Probable Cause and a DUI Stop in Santa Ana
Following are examples of what may constitute probable cause for a Santa Ana DUI stop:
- A driver who is swerving in and out of a lane while driving
- A driver who is speeding or driving too slowly
- A driver who violates a traffic law, such as running a red light
- A driver who is driving particularly aggressively, weaving in and out of traffic
There are also situations where an officer may make initial contact with a driver, even when the driver has not exhibited particular behavior that may indicate drunk driving:
- At the scene of an auto accident
- When a driver is already stopped at the side of the road or freeway
- When a vehicle matches the description of a vehicle involved in a hit and run or other criminal investigation
- When another driver calls 911 to report what he or she believes is a drunk driver
No matter the circumstances of your case, proving that you were subjected to an unlawful DUI stop may be relevant to building an effective defense on your behalf. Contact
a Santa Ana DUI lawyer at our law firm today to learn how we can use this to your benefit.