Reader’s Question:

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.

Tags: drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI advice, DUI lawyer