DUI Arrest Scenarios

DUI arrests can happen to anyone at anytime. One minute you are sitting in the stands having a great time with friends cheering for your favorite team, then on your drive home you notice the flashing blue and red lights of a police cruiser in your rearview mirror. The fun times come to a sudden halt and you find yourself pulling off to the side of the road. The following information is an example of a typical DUI arrest process in Tampa, Florida.

The officer walks up to your car window and asks for license, registration and proof of insurance.
The officer is formally trained to observe signs of intoxication such as fumbling with your wallet to retrieve your license, glassy or bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and the smell of alcohol on your breath.
Usually the officer will begin by asking simple questions in an attempt to gather more information about the situation. Make no mistake; your response to those questions can be a factor in the officer’s decision to arrest you for DUI.
If the officer see’s what they believe to be clues of impairment, he or she may ask you to step out of the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises which are used to gauge your balance, coordination and your ability to divide your attention on a task. It is important to note that Florida law does not require drivers to perform field sobriety exercises
Upon conclusion of the field sobriety exercises, the officer will evaluate your performance on all exercises and determine whether they have probable cause to make an arrest for DUI.
Unless you need immediate medical attention your next stop after arrest will the local police station, where you will be asked to submit to a breath, urine, or blood test to determine your blood alcohol concentration. If you agree to take a breath test, the officer must first observe you for a period of twenty minutes. At the end of the twenty minute observation period you will be asked to submit at least two samples.
Depending on your blood alcohol content (BAC), the officer's observations, and performance on field sobriety exercises, the State Attorney’s Office may file formal DUI charges against you.

Contact a Tampa DUI Lawyer

With the evidence collected from field sobriety or blood testing, it may seem as if your chances of avoiding a DUI conviction are unlikely. Rest assured, the attorneys at Robin Fuson P.A. have the experience and knowledge to help protect your rights in the system they know.