Driving under the influence is a danger to everyone on the road. In Alabama, the court takes this charge seriously, mandating heavy penalties for a first offense. In certain situations, a driver has the right to refuse DUI testing, but this choice can have...
DUI
Alabama now requires saliva tests for DUI suspects
Drivers in Alabama who are pulled over by police on suspicion of driving under the influence have another issue to face. The state has passed a law requiring submission to saliva tests. What is the new law? In August 2021, a new law went into effect requiring all...
Why do people who are sober sometimes fail sobriety tests?
Alabama residents who get pulled over by police on suspicion of drunk driving are often asked to take field sobriety tests. If you’re sober, you expect to easily pass, but it’s possible to fail. What are field sobriety tests? Field sobriety tests consist of certain...
Types of field sobriety tests
If an officer in Birmingham, Alabama, suspects a person of drunk driving, they may pull the driver over to check for intoxication. State laws allow officers to check for impairment using field sobriety tests, which require the driver to perform physical tasks. Types...
What are the consequences of a DUI?
Alabama courts are very serious about prosecuting defendants who have been charged with driving under the influence. State legislators have enhanced driving laws over the past two decades to make DUI one of the top priorities when it comes to prosecuting criminal...
What leads police officers to establish reasonable suspicion?
No one living in Alabama wants to get pulled over by a police officer. However, drivers who cause a police officer to establish reasonable suspicion are likely to see red and blue lights flashing behind them. Since a DUI charge often results from reasonable suspicion,...
How do you restore driving privileges after a DUI?
Anyone arrested for driving under the influence in Alabama may face harsh consequences. While many rightfully worry about heavy fines and jail time, suffering a license suspension could create tremendous misery. Losing the ability to drive legally might hurt someone...
How to interact with police during a traffic stop
If an Alabama police officer believes that you are driving while under the influence of a controlled substance, he or she may pull your vehicle over. Generally speaking, you are under no obligation to speak with the person who is conducting the traffic stop. Anything...
Are field sobriety tests optional?
If you're pulled over in Alabama for suspicion of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it's likely that the officer will ask you to participate in field sobriety tests. These tests are commonly used to help confirm an officer's suspicion that a driver is...
When does a DUI turn felony
Most Alabama residents are aware that a felony arrest brings with it much harsher consequences than misdemeanor offenses. Residents also know that felony arrests can result in lengthy prison sentences, costly fines and the stigma that often accompanies life after a...
