Police officers in Athens, Georgia are trained for years on how to spot a drunk driver. Yet people still think they’ll be the one drunk driver to convince the officers that they haven’t been drinking. If you drive after having a few cocktails and see those red and blue lights come up behind you, be prepared. A DUI traffic stop can mean serious trouble if you’re drunk. Thankfully, our DUI defense lawyers in Athens know what these signs are.
The police look for certain signs when deciding whether or not they need to pull someone over in a DUI traffic stop. Some of these signs apply to whether they suspect someone is impaired or not. For example, if someone is driving without their headlights on, the police have a duty to pull the driver over. They may let them off with a warning – but they have to be concerned first and foremost with public safety.
There are also particular elements the Athens police officers look for when conducting a DUI traffic stop. If you’ve been drinking or using drugs, the police will be able to tell. Here, we’ll talk about two things. First, we’ll look at the things that can make the cops more likely to pull you over in the first place. Second, we’ll discuss the factors they take into account when deciding if you should be arrested for DUI.
The most important thing you can do if you are arrested for DUI is to call an experienced DUI defense attorney in Athens as soon as possible.
The Police in Athens Look for Certain Things When It Comes to Pulling You Over for a DUI Traffic Stop
If you’re driving while under the influence, the last thing you want to do is get pulled over. There are certain things the police in Athens look for when deciding who they should pull over. Some of these include the following:
- Weaving in and out of traffic and failure to maintain your lane
- Driving without your headlights on
- Failing to use your turn signals
- Driving too slowly
- Speeding
- Following too closely behind another vehicle
- Not stopping at traffic lights and stop signs
If you do any of these things, there is a much higher chance of getting pulled over. You need to be prepared because there is only so much your Athens DUI lawyer can do to help you.
Signs That You Are Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
Once you’re pulled over, there are certain things the cops are going to look for. They have spent years training on how to detect when someone is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Do not think you’ll be able to fool them. Once they pull you out of your car and ask you to perform a field sobriety test, there is a good chance you’ll be arrested and charged with DUI.
Some of the things that the Athens police look for when determining if someone is driving while intoxicated include the following:
- Slurred driving
- Red or bloodshot eyes
- Glassy eyes
- Not being able to provide your documents without seeming nervous
- The smell of alcohol or drugs coming from you or your vehicle
- Stumbling when you attempt to exit the car
- inability to keep your balance
- Being dressed disheveled
- Being rude or aggressive toward the police
When you hire your Athens DUI defense lawyer, they will look at the police’s recording of your arrest. They’ll look to see if the traffic stop was legal. They’ll also check to see if the police had probable cause to arrest you for DUI. They’ll also look to poke holes in the State’s case so they can get your charges reduced or dismissed.
Contact a Skilled DUI Defense Lawyer in Athens, Georgia Right Away
Once you’re arrested and charged with DUI, you really need to consider contacting a skilled Athens DUI defense lawyer. You’ll be facing serious penalties and consequences. The last thing you want to do is try to handle this yourself. There is simply too much at stake. The prosecutor is going to much more likely to take you seriously if you have a seasoned DUI attorney by your side.
Make sure you call and talk to one of our DUI defense lawyers as soon as possible after your arrest. You’ll have to go to your first hearing within hours or days of being arrested. You want to have an attorney by your side for this hearing. This is when you’ll let the judge know if you plead guilty or innocent. It’s also your first opportunity to talk to the prosecutor and demand copies of whatever evidence they have.