Stopped for DUI in Atlanta?

Posted By Richard Lawson on Mar 24, 2011 8:43pm PDT

Every night, especially on the weekends, Atlanta officers are pulling drivers over and charging them with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. DUI offenses are becoming increasingly common. But what does it take for an officer to pull you over and arrest you for DUI?

First of all, Atlanta police officers cannot randomly stop drivers for DUI. They need to have an articulable suspicion that the driving is some how impaired. This could range from an out head or tail light, to witnessing the car veer off the road.

Once the vehicle is stopped by the Atlanta officer, he or she will ask the driver questions and for their license and registration. If the officer believes they smell the odor of alcohol, or in their subjective opinion feel that the driver seems "drunk," they can ask the driver to submit to field sobriety tests. There are three field sobriety tests that are commonly given. They are the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN), the walk and turn, and the one leg stand. All of them are dependent upon the officers correct administration and the Atlanta DUI officers subjective findings. If the Atlanta officer feels that the driver performs poorly on the tests, they can arrest and charge for DUI.

If you have unjustly been charged with DUI in Atlanta, call DUI attorney Richard Lawson today to discuss your rights.

Stopped for DUI in Atlanta?

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