Prince George’s County DUI Stops
There must be some basis to accuse someone of a traffic infraction before pulling someone over for a possible DUI. When driving, it can be critical for operators to have an understanding of how to handle Prince George’s County DUI stops. To learn more about how to handle potential DUI arrest stops, speak with an experienced driving while under the influence attorney.
Typical DUI Stop Process
The typical DUI stop process in Prince George’s County involves an officer observing a traffic infraction such as speeding, running a red light, failure to maintain lane or illegal U-turns. If they see those, they pull somebody over.
If there are some indications of alcohol consumption, smell, admission of the driver of consuming alcohol, slurred speech, bloodshot, glassy eyes or open containers in the vehicle, then the person is asked to exit the vehicle and maybe submit to the field sobriety tests and even a preliminary breath test.
Based on this performance, the person could be arrested, brought back to the station and asked to submit to either the breath test back at the station or a blood draw, if appropriate. After that, they will usually be released.
What is Implied Consent in Regards to DUI Searches?
People need to consent to a search of their vehicle during Prince George’s County DUI stops. If somebody is arrested for a DUI, the officer can search the vehicle without consent. Implied consent is the notion that if a person wants to drive in Maryland roads, they will submit to the field sobriety test and intoxication test should an officer have reasonable grounds or bases to believe that a person is driving under the influence. And if somebody refuses to implied consent, they face a suspension, loss of license and additional sanctions in the criminal case.
Mistakes to Avoid During a Driving Under the Influence Arrest
During Prince George’s County DUI stops, a driver can ask to speak to their lawyer prior to whether they decide to submit to the intoxication breath test back at the station. The biggest mistake to avoid in DUI stops is to not hire an attorney. If a person has the ability to reach out to an attorney at the time of the incident, they should absolutely reach out.
Unfortunately, very frequently, DUIs happen late at night time, off-hours and at times where many attorneys are not available or otherwise accessible. In those situations, it is important to, if one can, try to speak to an attorney as to the best course of action to try to save their license and preserve all the defenses they have in a case.
What are the Field Sobriety Tests?
In Maryland, there are three typically recognized field sobriety tests, the standardized field sobriety tests, or SFSP. The first one is the horizontal gaze nystagmus test or HGN. The second one is the walk-and-turn. The third is the one-legged stand. It is typical for an officer to ask somebody to submit to these three tests and based upon their overall performance will determine whether or not they have probable cause to arrest somebody on suspicion of DUI.
These tests are not exclusive. The officer can rely on other observations, interactions and statements by the driver to incorporate into the assessment of whether they believe someone is impaired or under the influence. These three recognized tests that are most helpful and indicative of whether or not somebody is impaired or under the influence.
What One Needs to Know About How Tests are Administered
These tests need to be administered in a certain way. There is a very specific protocol that needs to be for any testing following Prince George’s County DUI stops. There are specific clues and indicators that an officer looks for. For example, on the walk-and-turn test, the officer makes sure the person does not make heel to toe more than half an inch of every step, does not keep going through the sides and lifts them by no more than six inches at any point in time. There is a specific turn they have to make or a certain stance they have to maintain while giving them instructions. It is these specific indicators that the officer looks for to determine the proficiency and the performance.