Sobriety Checkpoints - Are They Legal?

Sobriety checkpoints are areas that are temporarily designated for review of possible DUI drivers. Checkpoints are common in a number of states. They are typically more prevalent at certain times of the year, such as during the holidays. However, you won’t see sobriety checkpoints in Michigan because they have been deemed illegal, at least for now. If you’ve been charged with drunk driving, call attorney, John Little for an aggressive defense. The legal team at Little & Boylan, PLLC is known for their skill at successfully handling DUI cases. We have successfully defended DUI charges from Bloomfield Hills to Detroit.

Traffic Stops

While a sobriety checkpoint isn’t legal in Michigan, police officers make DUI stops for a variety of reasons. There are a number of indications that law enforcement allege when they stop a vehicle for DUI. Some of the so called signs include:

  • weaving in the lane;
  • improper lane changes;
  • running off pavement;
  • stopping improperly;
  • no lights;
  • driving too slowly; and
  • running a red or yellow light.

These allegations are used to stop drivers suspected of DUI or impaired driving. These so called signs alone are not enough to book you for DUI, but they can lead the police to continue with field sobriety tests and DUI testing. If you have been stopped for DUI contact the DUI attorneys at Little & Boylan, PLLC immediately at 248-865-3455. We have a 24/7 answering service prepared to connect you to an experienced DUI lawyer.

DUI Stops

DUI charges are often the result of a regular traffic stop for another offense. During the stop the officer determines that the driver may be intoxicated and takes steps to test and arrest. The police allegation that you were driving erratically is usually enough to stop a vehicle to check on the driver. That is why you need an aggressive drunk driving lawyer to demand the video evidence. Michigan is a tough state on drunk drivers and the police enforce Michigan’s implied consent law, which means that drivers must, under certain conditions, submit to chemical DUI testing if asked to do so by a member of law enforcement. Learn more about the DUI testing rules from Little & Boylan, PLLC; a qualified DUI lawyer defending individuals in Southeastern Michigan, including Rochester Hills, Bingham Farms, Troy and Novi.

Police Activity

Since sobriety checkpoints are not available to law enforcement they may utilize some other tactics to find drunk drivers. For example, police may locate their vehicles near a local bar or tavern near closing time in the hopes of finding someone driving while intoxicated. Most DUI arrests are made at night or in the early morning hours after the clubs close for the evening. It is important to note that an officer needs to have a reason to stop your vehicle – not just because you were seen leaving a bar. A skilled DUI lawyer knows how to investigate and evaluate your DUI stop to determine whether it was actually done in a legal manner.

If you have been arrested for DUI do not trust your liberty to anyone. Instead, trust your defense to the leading local Rochester Hills DUI attorney. Call the Little & Boylan, PLLC at (248) 809-1402 for a free phone consultation.

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