Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney Call us today for a free consultation
Home Attorney Profile Case Results Criminal Defense Bankruptcy Contact Us
Learn why it's important to hire an attorney who isn't afraid to take your case to trial Learn how important it is to hire the right attorney Learn what to do following an arrest
DUI
Absorption Rate
Aggravated DUI (Felony DUI)
Am I Going to Jail?
Avoiding a DUI Conviction
BAC Physiology
Blood Tests
Boating DUI
Breathalyzer Accuracy
Challenging DUI Evidence
Chemical Tests
Commercial Drivers DUI
DMV Point System & Process
Driver's License Penalties
Driver's License Restoration
DUI & Drugs
DUI & Serious Injury(s)
DUI FAQ's
DUI Penalties
DUI Probation Violation
DUI Process
DUI's & Motor Vehicle Insurance
Expungements
Hit and Run Accident
Intoxilyzer 5000
License Revocation
License Suspension
Pennsylvania DUI Laws
Probable Cause
DUI- First Time Offense
Sobriety Checkpoints
The Officer as a Witness
The Science of DUI's
Traffic Tickets (Crimes)
Underage DUI
Unlawful Police Stops
Vehicular Homicide
Home
Criminal Defense Practice Areas
DUI
Absorption Rate
Aggravated DUI (Felony DUI)
Am I Going to Jail?
Avoiding a DUI Conviction
BAC Physiology
Blood Tests
Boating DUI
Breathalyzer Accuracy
Challenging DUI Evidence
Chemical Tests
Commercial Drivers DUI
DMV Point System & Process
Driver's License Penalties
Driver's License Restoration
DUI & Drugs
DUI & Serious Injury(s)
DUI FAQ's
DUI Penalties
DUI Probation Violation
DUI Process
DUI's & Motor Vehicle Insurance
Expungements
Hit and Run Accident
Intoxilyzer 5000
License Revocation
License Suspension
Pennsylvania DUI Laws
Probable Cause
DUI- First Time Offense
Sobriety Checkpoints
The Officer as a Witness
The Science of DUI's
Traffic Tickets (Crimes)
Underage DUI
Unlawful Police Stops
Vehicular Homicide
Home
Criminal Defense Practice Areas
DUI
Absorption Rate
Aggravated DUI (Felony DUI)
Am I Going to Jail?
Avoiding a DUI Conviction
BAC Physiology
Blood Tests
Boating DUI
Breathalyzer Accuracy
Challenging DUI Evidence
Chemical Tests
Commercial Drivers DUI
DMV Point System & Process
Driver's License Penalties
Driver's License Restoration
DUI & Drugs
DUI & Serious Injury(s)
DUI FAQ's
DUI Penalties
DUI Probation Violation
DUI Process
DUI's & Motor Vehicle Insurance
Expungements
Hit and Run Accident
Intoxilyzer 5000
License Revocation
License Suspension
Pennsylvania DUI Laws
Probable Cause
DUI- First Time Offense
Sobriety Checkpoints
The Officer as a Witness
The Science of DUI's
Traffic Tickets (Crimes)
Underage DUI
Unlawful Police Stops
Vehicular Homicide
Home
Information Center
DUI Center
Sexual Assault
Video CenterLegal Blog

Pittsburgh Drunk Driving Defense Attorney

Probable Cause in a DUI Case

Periodically, we hear stories about a law enforcement officer who has made the most DUI arrests in a single year. Often, it's the same officer who wins this award year in and year out. Do they work harder? Are they luckier or more diligent? Typically, no. Usually they are playing fast and loose when it comes to the issue of probable cause.

Attorney Blaine Jones will carefully review all of the facts and circumstances of your arrest – and that includes probable cause for your traffic stop. An officer must have a reason for stopping your vehicle – and it's not illegal in Pennsylvania to weave within your own lane of travel. These marked lane violations, turn signal violations, and other alleged infractions are used to stop your vehicle and initiate a DUI investigation. Cruiser cams and other evidence may be used to contradict an officer's testimony. And an officer's history may also shed light on whether he uses profiling or other illicit measures in conducting traffic stops.

Illegal Stops and Wrongful Arrests in Pittsburgh DUI Cases

This is a critical area of DUI defense. The experience of your chosen defense attorney will play a vital role. In social settings, many officers will discuss their reasoning for making stops. As we've said, stopping commercial work trucks out after dark is a fan favorite – cops assume a work crew hit the bar for happy hour and are making their way home. This is illegal. But veteran officers can be just as savvy as veteran defense attorneys – proving rules were violated takes experience, tenacity and a thorough defense.

Probable cause issues in Pittsburgh DUI cases:

  • Traffic Stop: An officer must have legitimate reason for stopping your vehicle.
  • DUI Investigation: An officer must have reason to suspect you are driving under the influence before requesting that your perform field-sobriety tests or submit to a breathalyzer.
  • Anonymous Reports: An officer lacks probable cause when stopping a vehicle based on an anonymous complaint.
  • DUI Checkpoints: Because a motorist forfeits probable cause rights at a DUI checkpoint, such roadblocks must be conducted in strict accordance with the law.

If you've been charged with driving under the influence, call Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer, Blaine Jones, for a confidential consultation.

Blaine Jones Law, LLC - Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney
Located at 500 Grant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219. View Map
Phone: (412) 475-0062
Website: