Reasons for Arrests at Traffic Stops
4 years ago by Brian
In certain situations, a police officer may be able to arrest a driver during a traffic stop. If you have been arrested during the course of a traffic stop, it is important that you have an experienced Woodbury criminal defense lawyer representing you and protecting your legal rights.
In some circumstances, a police officer may be able to arrest a motor vehicle driver and/or a passenger during the course of a traffic stop. For example, the officer could arrest a driver for driving while impaired if the officer suspects the driver has been drinking. Similarly, an officer could arrest a vehicle driver or passenger if the officer notices drugs in plain view inside the vehicle – or develops probable cause that drugs are present in the vehicle over the course of the traffic stop.
If you have been arrested during a traffic stop, it is essential that you have an experienced team of legal professionals representing you throughout your entire criminal case. The Woodbury criminal defense lawyers at JS Defense, PA., will explain all of your legal rights to you and ensure that they remain safeguarded while your case is pending. We could also help you formulate a strong defense to your pending criminal charge. Please call us today to find out more about how we could assist you throughout your criminal legal matter.
Situations When a Police Officer Could Arrest You During or After a Traffic Stop
During a traffic stop, a police officer may be able to arrest you for a criminal offense listed in the Criminal Code for the State of Minnesota, depending upon the circumstances. Some common situations for arrests during traffic stops include the following:
- The police officer determines that the motor vehicle driver is impaired by alcohol and/or has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher (a DWI per se).
- The police officer determines that the driver is impaired by drugs.
- The police officer observes illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle – or the officer develops probable cause (such as from smells emanating from inside the vehicle) that the vehicle contains illegal drugs.
When it comes to traffic stop drug arrests, in some situations, a passenger could be arrested for constructive drug possession if the drugs are found in his or her reach area. This is true even if the drugs did not belong to the passenger.
Call an Experienced Woodbury Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
In some situations, a person who is arrested during a traffic stop could raise a legal defense. For example, the arrestee could argue that an illegal search took place or that the police officer lacked the necessary reasonable suspicion to pull the vehicle over in the first place. The knowledgeable legal team at JS Defense, PA., can determine if you have any such legal defenses available to you, given the facts and circumstances surrounding your traffic stop arrest.
For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with an experienced Woodbury criminal defense attorney, please call us today at (651) 968-9652 or contact us online for more information.