You know that your life could change in the moment that you see the flashing lights of a law enforcement vehicle in your rearview mirror. When stopped for suspected drunk driving, it is critical to know what to do and how you can protect yourself when dealing with law enforcement. One thing that may be helpful is to understand reasons why Kentucky police may stop a driver and what signs could indicate that a driver is under the influence.
Reasonable suspicion is the term used to describe the reason why police stopped your vehicle. This means that police saw something that gave them a reason to pull you over, ask you questions, and possibly administer sobriety tests or a breath test. If there was no valid reason to stop you, it may ultimately compromise the entire case against you.
What gives police reasonable suspicion?
Reasonable suspicion refers to behaviors that may indicate to law enforcement that a crime is taking place, such as drunk driving. After initiating the traffic stop, police may come to your vehicle window and question you about your activities, determining whether they should administer sobriety tests or take other steps. Some of the common behaviors drivers display that may give police reasonable suspicion include:
- Swerving between lanes
- Stopping in the road for no apparent reason
- Driving at erratic speeds
- Making an illegal turn
- Failure to stop at a traffic light or intersection
- Driving slowly or erratically
Without a valid reason to stop a driver, law enforcement has no grounds to pull a vehicle over. Any evidence collected during an improper traffic stop could be inadmissible. If you suspect that you experienced a violation of your rights during the initial suspected DUI stop, while interacting with police or at any point in the process, you will benefit from understanding how you can challenge the case against you.
Defending your future
Much is at stake when facing DUI charges. You will benefit from learning about the specific defense options available to you as soon as possible after your arrest. An assessment of your situation will help you understand the ways you can challenge the prosecution’s case and confront the charges you are facing. With an appropriately developed defense strategy, you can fight for your future interests and possibly mitigate some of the penalties you are facing.
