The Initial DUI Stop in Michigan

Michigan DUI Attorney

The first step in any Michigan DUI/OWI case or arrest will be the initial stop made by law enforcement. This occurs when a police officer notices or receives a report of a driver who is driving erratically or recklessly or who has broken a traffic law. The officer will pull the driver over to the side of the road and will ask for his or her license and registration. At this point, the officer will also be observing the driver for any signs that may indicate that he or she has been drinking and driving. This may include bloodshot eyes, the smell of alcohol on the driver's breath, slurred speech, open alcohol containers in the vehicle or similar indicators. Depending on what the officer observes and any statements the driver may make about whether he or she has been drinking, the officer may ask the driver to step out of the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests.

Field sobriety tests are the next step in a Michigan law enforcement officer's determination of whether a driver may be intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance. These gauge a driver's balance, coordination, ability to follow instructions and overall mental and physical abilities. Depending on how the driver performs these tests, the officer may or may not make an arrest for DUI. It is after the DUI arrest that the driver will be asked to submit to a breath test or blood test to determine his or her blood alcohol concentration.

Serving Drivers Arrested for DUI/OWI in Wayne County and Oakland County, including in Royal Oak, Rochester Hills, Bloomfield Township, Detroit, Ferndale, Troy, Warren and Farmington Hills

The most important thing you can do after being pulled over and arrested for DUI/OWI in Oakland County or Wayne County is to consult with an attorney. A Michigan DUI lawyer can talk to you about what occurred and can offer valuable guidance to help you make the right choices about your case.

For a confidential review of your initial DUI stop, contact a Michigan DUI Attorney at Freedman & Freedman today.