What to Expect After a Police Officer Pulls You Over For Drunk Driving

Legal Tips & Resources

When a police officer pulls you over and charges you with a DUI, you may be wondering if they had the right to pull you over in the first place and what you can expect after they pull you over. It is important to note that many states crack down particularly hard on people who have been charged with a DUI, so you want to ensure you get as much information as possible when the police officer is charging you. DUI attorneys know that this can seem like a scary time, but it is helpful to have more information regarding your charges and what the police officer did when they pulled you over. 

Why might a police officer pull you over in the first place?

There are any number of reasons that a police officer may choose to pull you over even if they do not suspect that you were driving under the influence. 

Non-DUI Related Factors

  • You have a tail light out
  • You turned without using the proper blinker
  • You ran a red light
  • You ran a stop sign

DUI Related Factors

On the other hand, a police officer may choose to pull you over for something if they believe that you were driving under the influence. They could pull you over for:

  • Straddling two lanes
  • Weaving through traffic
  • Driving too quickly or too slowly for the traffic
  • Swerving in and out of your lane
  • Almost hitting or hitting another object, vehicle, or person

Clearly, there are many reasons that a police officer may pull you over, whether they are suspicious of you driving drunk or not. In the first examples, a police officer may initially pull you over for something like running a stop sign but suspect upon stepping up to your vehicle that there are other signs you have been drinking. 

Spending Time in a Holding Cell

In many cases, if no one else was injured during the scenario and a police officer has determined that you were driving under the influence, they will leave you in a holding cell until you become sober. Upon being released, you could likely expect certain punishments in addition to setting a date for trial, including having a breathalyzer device installed in your car or having your license suspended. 

What if someone else is injured or died?

If, however, someone else was injured or died while you were allegedly driving under the influence, you will likely be in police custody without the option for bail until your trial. In addition to DUI charges, you may expect charges like criminal negligence, personal injury lawsuits from the injured parties, or vehicular manslaughter. All of these charges are incredibly serious which is why it is important that you speak with a DUI lawyer in San Francisco, CA about your charges now. 

For more information on how a lawyer can help you, please contact a law office. 

Thanks to the Morales Law Firm for their insight into criminal law and being pulled over for a DUI.