Sterling DUI Defense Lawyers

If you are arrested for drunk driving, you may face immediate consequences that are likely to be serious. A conviction for DUI may lead to a suspended driver's license, fines, and even jail time. The personal and professional repercussions can be equally serious, especially if your job requires you to maintain a clean driving record or security clearance.

At Robinson Law, PLLC, our lawyers represent drivers facing charges related to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Sterling. We will fully review the facts involved in a case and take steps to protect your rights. By evaluating legal, procedural, and scientific factors, we will identify potential defenses and help you take steps to achieve the best possible results.

Reasons a Driver May Be Stopped on Suspicion of DUI

Law enforcement officers may initiate a traffic stop when they observe behaviors that suggest that a driver may be impaired. However, an officer must have reasonable suspicion before conducting a traffic stop. That is, they must observe traffic violations or other behaviors that indicate that a driver may have been drinking alcohol or using other substances that caused them to become intoxicated.

Some of the reasons why a driver may be pulled over for suspected DUI include:

• Swerving or drifting between lanes
• Driving significantly under the speed limit
• Braking erratically
• Failing to signal when changing lanes or making turns
• Running red lights or failing to obey traffic signs
• Driving without headlights at night
• Near-misses or minor collisions

In some cases, stops may occur at DUI checkpoints, where officers will briefly detain drivers at predetermined locations and look for signs of intoxication. Even in these situations, a stop must comply with strict legal requirements.

Our attorneys will review the justification for the initial stop in a DUI case. If the officer did not have a valid reason, any evidence obtained during the stop may be inadmissible in court.

What Happens During a DUI Traffic Stop?

Once a vehicle is stopped, the officer will observe the driver for signs of alcohol intoxication. These may include the odor of alcohol on a person's breath or clothing, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, or difficulty responding to questions. If the officer suspects that a driver may be intoxicated, they may ask the driver to perform field sobriety tests or submit to a preliminary breath test.

During a traffic stop, the driver's rights are critical. While cooperation with police is important, drivers also have the right to remain silent and to decline to take roadside tests. Field sobriety tests, including tests in which a driver is asked to balance on one foot, walk along a straight line, or track a moving object with their eyes, are not mandatory. Drivers may legally decline to participate in field sobriety tests without facing immediate penalties.

Preliminary breath tests (PBTs), which are portable breathalyzer devices that may be used during traffic stops, can also be refused. Refusal to take a PBT does not carry criminal penalties. However, if the officer believes there is probable cause, the driver may be arrested and taken into custody.