Unlawful Police Stops in Phoenix, Arizona

It may come as a surprise to some, but the truth is that police officers are not allowed to pull over whoever they desire. Under United States law, they must have what is known as probable cause to pull someone over - and if they do not, it can be considered an unlawful police stop. So what exactly is probable cause? It is the reasonable suspicion that someone is breaking the law or the actual witnessing of an illegal act. This could be someone speeding, a violation on the exterior of the car (such as driving with expired license plates) or reckless maneuvering. In relation to DUI cases, it is not considered to be probable cause for a police officer to pull someone over simply because they saw them leave a bar and get into their car. For a police stop to be considered lawful, the driver must exhibit signs of drunk driving. This could be swerving between lanes, abrupt changes in speed or sudden stops. All of these would be valid reasons for a police officer to make a traffic stop. If, however, there are no visible signs of something illegal, there is no probable cause.

About Probable Cause and Police Obligations

Determining whether or not you were lawfully pulled over can play an integral role in your DUI case. While the above provides a basic rundown of what is considered lawful the truth is that this can be a complex and messy area of the law - and it is one that is best handled by an experienced Phoenix DUI lawyer. Questions that may be asked include the following:

• Were you displaying behaviors indicative of alcohol impairment?
• Was the officer there to directly observe these behaviors?
• Were you in violation of a traffic or criminal law?
• Was your behavior called in by a civilian? If so, did the officer not witness it first hand?
• Were you driving in a way that any reasonable driver would?

Importance of Hiring an Experienced Phoenix Drunk Driving Attorney

By answering these and other questions, the Knowles Law Firm will be able to take steps towards helping you protect your legal rights. At their firm, they are well-versed in all areas of DUI and criminal law and will be able to take the extensive steps necessary to ensuring that you have a comprehensive defense on your side. Led by Attorney Anthony Knowles, a former police officer, they have the full-bodied understanding of the law that you will benefit from in the end. With proven results, you can trust that they will fight for you. So what are you waiting for? When your future is at stake, you need to do everything possible to proactively fight for your just outcome. Contact them today by calling toll-free at 888-332-5621.

To learn more about unlawful police stops and what can be done to protect you, contact a Phoenix DUI lawyer from the Knowles Law Firm as soon as possible.