Tampa DUI Defense Lawyers

Initial Police Contact

Your initial contact with the police will usually occur because a police officer pulls you over while you are driving. The officer should have had probable cause to believe that you were driving under the influence, such as erratic or reckless behavior that is common in a person who is intoxicated. Some Tampa law enforcement agencies may also set up a DUI checkpoint to monitor and catch drunk drivers. These checkpoints, although a close call in regards to their infringement upon Fourth Amendment rights, have been deemed valid by Florida courts.

Once an officer makes initial contact, he or she will look for specific signs of intoxication. This may include:

• Slurred speech
• Incoherent speech
• The scent of alcohol on the driver’s breath
• Inability to follow directions
• Bloodshot eyes
• Flushed cheeks
• Alcoholic beverages in the vehicle

After observing enough general signs of intoxication, the officer may ask you to participate in field sobriety tests to further determine whether you are in violation of Tampa DUI laws.

Initial Police Contact and DUI Defense

Initial police contact may have a big impact on your DUI defense. For instance, if a police officer did not have reasonable cause in pulling you over in the first place, this may be grounds for dismissal of your DUI charge. Your Tampa DUI lawyer will be able to go over your initial contact and arrest with you to determine whether your rights were violated in any way.

With the help of an experienced DUI defense lawyer, you may find that you were the victim of illegal or inappropriate initial police contact. At Finebloom & Haenel, our Tampa DUI attorneys know what to look for in violations of your rights. We offer a free consultation to see if we can help you with your DUI case.

Arrested for drunk driving or DUI? Contact our Tampa DUI attorneys today!