Orange County DUI Defense Attorney

The Facts About DUI Stops

Have you been stopped for Driving Under the Influence? You might be wondering why you were pulled over in the first place. What makes a police officer decide that a driver may be under the influence? There are certain behaviors that officers are trained to look for while patrolling in Orange County. A DUI Defense Attorney can tell you that these behaviors can frequently be explained by other factors, and that the decisions made by the officer are often subjective. But what behaviors are the police looking for when deciding whether to pull someone over? According to the NHTSA, the following list indicates possible clues that a driver is under the influence:

• Weaving
• Drifting
• Swerving
• Turning with a wide radius
• Stopping beyond a limit line
• Signaling inconsistent with driving actions
• Driving into opposing or crossing traffic
• Turning illegally
• Driving on other than the designated roadway
• Appearing to be impaired

The NHTSA has found that some combination of these behaviors increases the likelihood that you are under the influence. Further, they mention specific behaviors that occur after the stop that are often indicators of intoxication. The odor of alcohol is often a first indicator, as well slurred speech, repeated questions or comments, or slow responses to officer’s questions. Struggling with the car’s controls, fumbling with license and registration documents, and difficulty getting out of the car are also among the warning signs that officers are looking for in deciding whether you are drunk.

Of course, there are many other possible causes for these behaviors, which is why having a skilled Orange County DUI defense attorney is important. A knowledgeable attorney, familiar with Orange County law and specific DUI defenses, can help you defend yourself, your license, and your reputation if you ultimately do get charged with DUI.

Call (949) 497-1729 for a free consultation.