The average person in a DUI case might not be familiar with all of the legal jargon behind a charge. However, you should know two common terms that could be instrumental in protecting your rights: “reasonable suspicion” and “probable cause.” Understanding these terms can help you know whether police followed the law. An Arlington Heights, IL criminal defense attorney can help you understand these terms and how they might apply to your case.
Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law has over 25 years of experience in criminal law, and has handled many DUI cases. He can review your traffic stop and arrest to see if your rights were violated.
Do Police Need Reasonable Suspicion to Pull You Over in a DUI Case?
In most cases, police officers need reasonable suspicion before they can pull you over for a suspected DUI. Reasonable suspicion means the officer has specific facts that point to a traffic violation or a sign of impaired driving. A hunch or a guess is not enough. The officer must be able to explain what he or she saw before the stop happened. One exception is a lawful sobriety checkpoint, where police do not need a specific reason to suspect each driver.