I just got my driver’s license and pretty curious about road regulations here in Los Angeles, California. What are the usual procedures if you get pulled over for drunk driving?

Samantha

Los Angeles, CA

It’s great to know that there are people who want to learn more about the consequences of driving under the influence. This is really helpful in educating young drivers especially in Los Angeles, California about driving responsibilities. In cases where one gets arrested for drunk driving, the person may be taken into police custody. The person will then undergo a process we call “booking”. During this process, the police officer usually takes the person’s personal information as well as search for criminal records if there’s any. The alleged crime information will then be recorded and personal properties may be confiscated such as keys and purse, in which should be returned upon the person’s release.

After this, the person may be placed in jail not unless a bail is already decided and paid. The bail amount may be predetermined, through predefined “bail schedule,” or the judge may set a monetary figure based on the gathered criminal records of the suspect. If granted by the court, the person may seek “own recognizance” release, where bail money is not needed. The suspect is then merely released after promising, in writing, to appear in court for all upcoming proceedings. Then, that will be the time that the person seeks legal assistance and hires a DUI lawyer to appear and defend him on court proceedings.

A DUI arrest and conviction is not a minor offense. This may actually lead to negative impacts on auto insurance that you may have. I also suggest that you can check on line websites to check for available post DUI insurance. You can check out premium rates as well as free quotations on this site.

I wonder how police officers work in Los Angeles, California in finding out those who are driving under the influence. How do police officers detect drunk drivers on the road?

Liz

Los Angeles, CA

Building upon a previous research of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), researchers did some interview with officers from across the country and developed a list of more than 100 driving cues that have been found to predict blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. The list was later on reduced to 24 driving cues during three field studies involving hundreds of officers and more than 12,000 enforcement stops. The driving behaviors identified by the police officers are divided into four categories: problems in maintaining proper lane position, speed and braking problems, vigilance problems, and judgment problems.

The cues that are presented in the four categories predict that a driver is under the influence at least 35% of the time. For example, if a driver is weaving or weaving across lane lines, the probability of DUI is more than 50%. But if you observe any of the weaving cues and any other cue, the probability of DUI jumps to at least 65%. This is how police officers in Los, Angeles, California observe motorists to find out those who are driving under the influence.

Last week, I was surprised by this DUI roadblock in Los Angeles, California and unfortunately, I was arrested for drunk driving. How can I dispute the legality of the DUI checkpoint?

Brice

Los Angeles, CA

Law enforcement officers and attorneys who are arguing for the State throughout the implementation of DUI roadblocks disagreed that the State’s interest was specifically intended to stop drunk driving. Consequently, the legality of DUI roadblocks has been upheld. But just recently, law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys have bragged publicly that DUI roadblocks yield an astronomical amount of revenue from traffic infractions discovered after stopping vehicles at DUI checkpoints.

DUI roadblocks usually yield approximately four DUI arrests and even less DUI convictions. Law enforcement officers have guidelines that they would have to follow in implementing these DUI roadblocks. The DUI roadblock guidelines include a specific method of selection of vehicles, insurance that intrusion on the motorists is kept to a minimum, providing a written set of actions outlining the procedures of the DUI roadblock and proper lighting and notification requirements on the roadway so as not to startle motorists. If the police officer failed to adhere to these requirements upon arresting you in a DUI roadblock in Los Angeles, California, this would often result in evidence being excluded.

I just want to be cautious because I often times drive myself after a little drink. What reason that an officer in Los Angeles, California could arrest me? I also want to know if I have to consent to the field sobriety tests.

Martha

Los Angeles, CA

Police officers in Los Angeles, California must have probable cause or reasonable suspicion that a person is driving under the influence before they can be asked to pull over. An officer may be able to suspect that a person is impaired by alcohol or drugs if he/she is engaging in uncharacteristic driving behaviors. These uncharacteristic behaviors could include disobeying traffic signals, making irregular stops, speeding and swerving.

If you were asked to pull over because of a DUI suspicion in Los Angeles, California, you actually do not have to consent to field sobriety tests. In many DUI cases, a police officer would not tell you of your right to refuse to submit to the field sobriety tests. But it could be in your best interest not to consent to these tests because they tend to be inaccurate and you are not obligated by law to do so.