Seattle Challenge Probable Cause Attorney

Challenging Your DUI Arrest

The police cannot stop your car without having a valid reason to do so. They must have a reasonable suspicion that you are committing a crime in order to stop you. In legal terms, they must have "probable cause" to stop your car.

At Jensen Legal, we defend individuals who have been charged with DUI, and challenge probable cause for your DUI traffic stop and arrest. To find out more about our approach to DUI defense, and to explore your full scope of legal options, contact our law office in Seattle to schedule a free consultation.

What Constitutes Probable Cause?

In order for a police officer to arrest you, he or she must have probable cause — or a certain degree of evidence or proof — that you are actually committing a crime before further investigation. There are varying standards that designate probable cause in a DUI arrest. The following are often used — and often challenged — probable cause standards used to arrest people suspected of driving drunk:

• Swerving
• Driving slow
• Driving recklessly
• Smell of alcohol
• Questionable performance of field sobriety tests

Attorney Kris Jensen has more than 20 years of experience in DUI defense matters. He understands what actions and behavior are commonly used as indicators of drunk driving by police. He uses his knowledge and experience to effectively challenge probable cause for clients in the Seattle area.

Field Sobriety Tests

When a police officer pulls a driver over on suspicion of drunk driving, he or she may order the driver to take field sobriety tests. Common tests require finger-to-nose touching, standing on one leg, and reciting the alphabet backwards. The police commonly use field sobriety tests to establish probable cause for an arrest. However, the results of these tests are highly objective and do not establish blood alcohol content (BAC) level. If you have been charged with drunk driving based on the results of a field sobriety test, contact our law firm for a case analysis.

Contact Jensen Legal to Challenge Probable Cause

To talk to a criminal defense lawyer about your DUI arrest and ways to challenge probable cause, contact Jensen Legal today to schedule a free consultation.