If you have been accused of driving while under the influence of alcohol in Minnesota, it is likely that the situation started with you being pulled over when driving. In order to do this lawfully, police officers need to have a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
If you were pulled over for no apparent reason, and you were later accused of driving under the influence, you may question why you were pulled over initially. If you were driving competently, and there was nothing wrong with your car, law enforcement officials will likely have no reasonable grounding in which to warrant your traffic stop.
Why is the validity of a traffic stop so important for DUI defense?
It’s important to question the validity of your traffic stop because if you can show that the stop was made without reasonable suspicion, any evidence gained after the stop was made could be dismissed. This means that you could essentially have all charges dropped.
What should I do if I am pulled over for what I believe is an illegitimate reason?
If you believe that there is no reasonable cause for you to be pulled over, it is important that you still comply with police officers when you are at the scene. If you do not, you may be subject to additional issues due to refusing to cooperate with law enforcement. Challenges to the legitimacy of the traffic stop can come later.
If you are facing DUI charges in Minnesota, it is important that you consider all possible forms of defense. By understanding the law, you will learn that there are many options available to you.
