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Florida DUI Video: Traffic Stop and Probable Cause
An inside look at how a case progresses, from the initial traffic stop to field sobriety testing.
Welcome to our series of videos about driving under the influence (DUI) in Florida. To understand how a DUI case progresses, we must look closely at each stage: the initial traffic stop, the field sobriety tests, and the final breath test.
Before an officer can pull a vehicle over for driving under the influence, specific legal standards must be met regarding the stop itself, followed by observations made during the initial face-to-face contact.
What Triggers a DUI Traffic Stop?
Under Florida law, before a police officer can stop a person for driving under the influence, the officer must have probable cause, which fundamentally relies on reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or impaired driving.
An officer may become suspicious if he or she notices specific driving behaviors, including:
- Weaving within or outside of lanes
- Disobeying traffic signs or signals
- Traveling into the wrong lanes of traffic
- Speeding
- Driving significantly too slow
If an officer observes a driver exhibiting these specific behaviors, they will most likely initiate a formal DUI traffic stop.
Initial Observations and Signs of Intoxication
Once a driver is stopped for a suspected DUI, the law enforcement officer will immediately examine the individual for physical indicators of impairment. Officers are trained to look for specific signs of intoxication during this face-to-face interaction, including:
- Flushed cheeks
- Incoherent or slurred speech
- Bloodshot eyes
- An inability to follow basic directions
If the officer determines that a well-founded suspicion for a DUI exists based on these initial observations, the investigation will typically progress to standard field sobriety tests.
Video Transcript
[00:07] Welcome to our series of videos about DUI in Florida. Let’s take a look at a DUI traffic stop and see how a case progresses. First we’ll take a look at the DUI traffic stop, then we’ll take a look at field sobriety tests, and we’ll finish up with a look at the breath test.
[00:28] Under Florida law, before a cop can stop a person for driving under the influence, the officer must have probable cause. Basically, that’s reasonable suspicion.
[00:34] An officer may be suspicious if he or she notices a person weaving, disobeying traffic signs, going into wrong lanes, speeding, driving too slow, or weaving. If an officer were to notice that a driver was exhibiting these behaviors, the officer will most likely make a DUI traffic stop.
[00:52] Once stopped for DUI, the officer will examine the person for signs of intoxication, such as flushed cheeks, incoherent speech, slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and inability to follow directions.
[01:11] Once he determines that suspicion for DUI exists, he then will go through standard field sobriety tests. We’ll take a look at those on our next video. A serious charge deserves a serious defense. Call us today at 1-877-793-9290. That’s 1-877-793-9290. Get some help today.
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