Unlawful Police Stops
DUI Attorneys Serving Worcester County, Massachusetts
Were you pulled over and arrested for DUI or OUI? If so, a Worcester DUI Lawyer at the Massachusetts DUI Defense Group can help.
If you have been pulled over for Operating Under the Influence on a Worcester or Central Massachusetts road such as Route 290, Route 190, Route 20, I 495, Route 2, or the Massachusetts Turnpike, you know how frightening it is when you get pulled over and asked questions or to submit to field sobriety tests. What you may not know is that law enforcement must have probable cause to stop you in the first place.
What Determines Probable Cause?
Probable cause must be more than a simple suspicion but rather a sufficient reason to pull over a driver who is exhibiting certain behavior while driving. Probable cause for a police stop for drunk driving may include:
- An attempt to flee
- Swerving
- Driving too slowly
- Speeding
- Sudden stops
- Hitting the curb or another fixed object
However, swerving within one's own lane does not necessarily indicate intoxication. Most often, it requires the violation of a traffic offense or some form of careless or reckless driving.
Challenging the Initial Police Stop
What happens if you were the victim of an unlawful police stop? Your DUI Defense Attorney can use this in your favor when defending you both in criminal court and at your Registry Hearing. If you were unlawfully stopped by the arresting officer, this may be grounds to file motions to suppress evidence or possibly dismiss your case altogether.
The prosecuting attorney's entire ability to obtain a conviction against you will be based off all evidence that law enforcement has collected, including your breath or blood test results, the officer's observations, field sobriety test performance, and more. An experienced Worcester DUI Lawyer can challenge the evidence every single step of the way and work with experts in different fields to weaken every aspect of the prosecution's case against you. The lawfulness of the initial police stop may play a major role in this.
Choose a Worcester, Massachusetts OUI/DUI Law Firm
Serving Worcester, Dudley, Clinton, Marlborough, Westborough…
and Communities Throughout
Central Massachusetts!
When it comes to litigating unlawful police stop cases, our attorneys vigorously and tirelessly fight for clients, both in the District Court and at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Our motto of "All Cases, All Hours, All Courts" explains our determination, drive, and accountability in obtaining the best possible result for our clients. Learn more about Massachusetts DUI laws in our FAQ Section, and then call (888) 456-2773 for a FREE Case Evaluation or contact us online.