ORANGE COUNTY DUI CHECKPOINTS ATTORNEY

Police officers must carefully follow a regulated process while conducting searches at DUI checkpoints. If they do not obey these regulations, any evidence collected against an individual to indicate that they were driving drunk may not be admissible in court and the individual's case may be dismissed.

There are eight required steps officers must adhere to in order to lawfully conduct a checkpoint stop:

1. Warning lights must be clearly visible
2. Any decision making must be done at a supervisory level
3. The safety of the public and officers must be put first
4. The location of the checkpoint is determined by policy-making officials
5. Drivers should not be detained longer than necessary
6. Vehicles must be stopped by a neutral predetermined strategy, such as stopping every fourth car
7. Publicly advertise the checkpoint in advanced
8. The length of the checkpoint must be limited, enough to be effective but not intrusive

Now you need an experienced DUI lawyer in Orange County to represent you. The penalties for a DUI conviction can be severe and include fines, suspensions on your license, and even jail time. A DUI can also impact your career if you are a licensed professional, such as a lawyer, nurse, or a doctor. Retaining the legal guidance of a dedicated and proven attorney can help you protect your rights and your freedom.

Both supervising officers and field officers can be found working at DUI checkpoints; however, only a supervising officer is legally permitted to make determinations concerning how and when a checkpoint will be operated, and under what criteria it will be permitted to stop a vehicle. Typically, the decision about where to operate a DUI checkpoint will be based upon what areas are shown to have the highest concentration level of accidents related to driving under the influence.

As we mentioned earlier, DUI sobriety checkpoints must be located in a reasonable area, i.e. an area that hast presented itself as one that is prone to DUI arrests and / or accidents. In addition to the reasonable qualities associated with DUI checkpoints are the safety considerations that were made (or not made) in relation to the checkpoint's location. For example, if it can be proven that a driver's safety was not properly considered when establishing the location of a DUI checkpoint, its location can be called into question.

Prior to the date on which they occur, DUI roadblocks that serve as sobriety checkpoints must be advertised in public areas in which they can be seen by drivers in the area. Notices can appear on local law enforcement websites, on local news channels, and in local newspapers. In addition, signs warning of the checkpoint need to be made visible to drivers; these can include flashing lights, the presence of uniformed law enforcement officers, warning signs, prominent lighting, and even marked police cars.

If you are driving down the street and you see the lights of a sobriety checkpoint ahead, you are not legally required to drive through it. You can turn down a perpendicular street or do a U-turn to go in the opposite direction. However, you are still required to obey the laws of traffic. You are not allowed to do an illegal U-turn or drive on the opposite side of the street as a means of avoiding the checkpoint.

Using drug swabs is still new to DUI checkpoint stops. As of now the use has not been banned, but may be in the future if it is deemed to be intrusive or unlawful.

Your rights during a checkpoint are similar to your rights when dealing with law enforcement at any moment. An officer is not lawfully able to search your vehicle without a reason to believe you are intoxicated or without your permission. If an officer beings to question you, you are not required to answer or admit any guilt.

Within your rights, you have the right to:

• Remain silent
• Deny the request to search your vehicle
• Refuse a Preliminary Alcohol Screening test
• Refuse sobriety field tests
• Leave the checkpoint if you do not wish to be detained

Understanding and knowing your rights is imperative to ensuring that you are not unlawfully searched or taken advantage of. Know your rights and protect your future.

If you were stopped at a DUI checkpoint and arrested, we urge you to contact our office today. Many defenses exist that can be used to represent your case in court, and often, to have your charges reduced are dropped altogether.