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Investigation of Driving Under the Influence in Los Angeles: Understanding Observations Made by Police Officers
Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and alcohol is a severe offense in Los Angeles, and it often begins when a police officer pulls you over following a traffic law violation under the California Penal Code. During the stop, the officer engages in a conversation to assess your level of sobriety. If the officer suspects that you are under the influence of alcohol and drugs, they will proceed to conduct a full DUI investigation.
The DUI arrest report will contain details of the officer’s initial contact and observations that led to the suspicion of intoxication. However, an experienced DUI criminal attorney can challenge these observations in court.
Order of Alcohol
In the DUI criminal arrest report, officers often describe observing an odor of alcohol or other drugs emanating from the driver. However, attributing the odor to the driver can be challenging since other passengers in the vehicle may have consumed alcohol. Furthermore, the smell of alcohol does not always indicate impairment. It is possible to smell alcohol after consuming minimal amounts that do not affect driving ability.
The level of smell of alcohol can also vary depending on the type consumed. Beer, which has the lowest alcohol content, has the strongest odor, while hard liquors like vodka, which have a higher alcohol content, have the weakest odor. Therefore, an experienced lawyer can argue that the odor of alcohol does not necessarily indicate impairment in a DUI case.
Odor of Alcohol
Officers may also observe slurred speech during a DUI investigation. However, drivers may slurr their speech to try to maintain their composure and avoid indicating their level of disorientation. Moreover, nervousness after being pulled over can also cause slurred speech. While slurred speech may indicate impairment, its absence does not necessarily mean that a driver is not intoxicated.
Lack of Coordination
Lack of coordination is another observation that can lead officers to suspect intoxication. However, a lack of coordination can also have other causes, such as sitting behind the wheel for an extended period, nervousness, or the choice of footwear. Therefore, an experienced DUI lawyer can argue that lack of coordination does not necessarily indicate intoxication.
Tables
The following table summarizes the observations often made by officers during DUI investigations and their potential causes.
| Observation | Possible Causes |
|---|---|
| Odor of alcohol or drugs | Passengers’ consumption, minimal alcohol consumption, type of alcohol/drug consumed |
| Slurred speech | Nervousness, trying to maintain composure, intoxication |
| Lack of coordination | Sitting behind the wheel for long periods, choice of footwear, nervousness, intoxication |
Conclusion
If you are facing DUI charges in Los Angeles, it is crucial to seek the services of an experienced criminal attorney such as Todd Spodek. With their expertise, they can challenge the observations made by officers and build a robust defense to protect your rights. Contact the Todd Spodek Law Group today for a free consultation session.
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