Was There a Traffic Stop?

Determining what led to an officer or trooper’s contact with a person is critical in defending someone charged with Impaired Driving. Whether it’s a binary, readily-observable violation of traffic law, or, a suspicion that some type of criminal activity is occurring, a DWI attorney will determine whether the seizure is reasonable and constitutional.

Was the Arrest Lawful?

As it is a greater intrusion into one’s liberty than simply pulling someone over, it is especially critical that an attorney determine whether Probable Cause existed when a DWI client is arrested. As case law and administrative bodies have put legal thresholds in place, it is imperative that the State and all law enforcement officers are held to the proper burdens when taking someone’s liberty.

Field Sobriety Tests – What Do They Mean?

It’s very easy for an officer to simply invoke that someone ‘failed’ or performed poorly on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). But that simple labelling isn’t sufficient to show a Court that a person was appropriately charged with DWI/DUI. A lawyer should be familiar with all of the cues/clues associated with both standardized and non-standardized dexterity tests.

The Instrument Said I ‘Blew Over,’ So I Guess I’m Guilty, Right?

Wrong. Above and beyond defenses based on the elements of Driving While Impaired, and further, the procedural mandates of Reasonable Suspicion and Probable Cause, a DWI attorney can often show items of concern regarding chemical analysis (breath or blood) that can result in suppression of certain evidence.