DUI

In order for you to have been lawfully arrested and charged with DUI in Las Vegas, a police officer must have made a lawful stop. In order for the stop to have been conducted legally, the officer must have had reasonable articulable suspicion, which is a burden less than probable cause and fairly easy for an officer to demonstrate. As Las Vegas DUI lawyers have seen in countless cases, one of the most common ways that officers form reasonable articulable suspicion is through observing minor traffic violations. Such violations might include swerving into another lane, speeding, or other erratic behavior. These violations, in addition to other observations, can lead an officer to suspect that you are driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

If you have been pulled over, it is usually very clear whether or not the officer suspects you have been driving under the influence. The questions the officer asks, the field sobriety tests you are asked to take, and the preliminary breath test using a PBT that may be requested of you are all designed to demonstrate your impairment. They are not intended to prove your sobriety.

If you are pulled over and suspected of driving while impaired or driving under the influence, your words and actions will likely be used against you in court. As such, it is important to know your rights and what you should and should not do in the event of a DUI stop. Below you will find some important information you should be aware of in the event of a DUI stop. Unfortunately, it is unusual for such a stop to occur while your Las Vegas DUI lawyer is in the car with you. If you remain cognizant of these considerations, however, it could go a long way to helping your defense in the event of criminal prosecution: