DUI Checkpoints in Arizona
Helping Clients Throughout Pima County Understand The Basics of a DUI Checkpoint
Arizona sets up sobriety checkpoints regularly, with a significant increase in the number of checkpoints during holiday weekends. Checkpoints, or roadblocks, are DUI enforcement operations where law enforcement agencies set up temporary stop signs and contact every motorist driving by. Drivers who have an odor of alcohol or marijuana or tell the contact officer that they have had anything to drink, or have used medication or drug, are required to exit their vehicles and submit to police balance tests and an eye test. Motorists who choose not to stop and speak with law enforcement officers are followed by “chase vehicles” and stopped for any minor traffic infraction.
Studies have shown that checkpoints are far less effective in finding impaired motorists than typical DUI deployments - using trained police officers to stop vehicles when they see suspected traffic violations. Of course, the requirement that officers have “particularized suspicion” that a crime has been committed before they stop a motorist also prevents innocent motorists from being intercepted and questioned simply because they were driving through the area chosen for the checkpoint. The Arizona Supreme Court has upheld the legality of law enforcement checkpoints when specific procedures are used and followed by the police.
Have you been pulled over at an Arizona DUI checkpoint? Our DUI checkpoint attorney in Tucson is ready to help you learn the Do's & Don'ts when you are a DUI suspect. Call St. Louis Huffman today at (520) 622-1222 or contact us online to get started!
What to Do At a DUI Checkpoint
Even if you do not feel intoxicated, you can still be arrested for driving while impaired at a DUI checkpoint. Your relaxed, collected demeanor can mean you go home instead of jail. St. Louis Huffman Law provides these helpful recommendations if you encounter a sobriety checkpoint:
Approach the checkpoint slowly and obey the officers' directions, such as where to park your vehicle.
Tell passengers in your vehicle that you are approaching a DUI checkpoint and ask them to be serious and quiet.
Do not roll down your window until an officer tells you to do so.
You have the right to politely decline to answer any questions, including whether you have had anything to drink or have used any drugs or medications.
You have the right to politely request to speak with a lawyer before performing any tests, including field sobriety tests or taking a preliminary breath test if asked.
Always remain calm and respectful.
Important Issues Before a DUI Roadblock
What you do before encountering a sobriety checkpoint can impact the outcome. Our DUI checkpoint attorneys offer these essential tips:
- Do not carry illicit drugs or paraphernalia, and do not allow your friends to have drugs in their possession while in your vehicle.
- Carry only medications you need — lock prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals in your glove box or trunk unless you need immediate access for a medical condition.
- Do not drive with an open container of alcohol, and do not allow your passengers to have open bottles, cans, or cups of alcohol in your car.
- Keep your driver's license, registration, and auto insurance card easily and quickly accessible.
Contact Our DUI Checkpoint Attorney Today
St. Louis Huffman is dedicated to defending those accused of DUI and other crimes in Arizona. Our Tucson DUI lawyers bring over 40 years of combined experience and an impressive list of credentials to your case. We believe these roadblocks are unjust, unconstitutional stops, searches, and seizures and advocate for you if you are arrested due to a sobriety checkpoint.
Contact St. Louis Huffman today to schedule your free initial consultation!
