A DUI traffic stop in Georgia can change the course of your life. What started as a nice evening out can quickly become a problem if you find yourself under arrest and charged with drunk driving. A conviction can lead to fines, jail time and other consequences that can affect your personal and professional life.
As you consider ways to develop a strong defense strategy, you may want to carefully examine the details of your initial traffic stop. If police did not have a legal reason to pull you over in the first place, it could mean all evidence from this interaction is invalid. Law enforcement must have reasonable suspicion that a crime is taking place, such as drunk driving, in order to detain an individual or initiate a traffic stop.
What counts a reasonable suspicion?
There are certain types of behaviors commonly associated with drunk driving. If law enforcement notices a driver exhibiting any of the following signs, it could be valid grounds to pull a driver over:
- Swerving
- Driving at erratic or inconsistent speeds
- Having difficulty maintaining the lane
- Making illegal turns
- Straddling the center line
- Stopping for no apparent reason
- Hitting or almost hitting stationary objects
These are only a few examples of what may count as reasonable suspicion. Law enforcement has a significant amount of authority to determine what behaviors are suspicious. This is why it is important to seek experienced defense counsel if you suspect there was a problem with your traffic stop. A careful examination of your situation can determine if there was a violation of your rights. If there was, you can move to have certain evidence dismissed, which could lead to a dismissal of the charges.
Prompt action is important
Even if it is your first offense, you would be wise to have knowledgeable legal counsel when facing DUI charges. Regardless of what’s in your criminal record, your future and freedom are on the line. With the right help, you can effectively confront the prosecution’s case and defend your rights.
You have a limited amount of time to protect your interests and answer to DUI charges after your arrest. Quick action can be crucial in building an appropriate defense that is best suited for your individual situation and objectives for your case.
