When it comes to being accused of a crime, the average person may lack the necessary legal experience to know how best to handle the situation. For instance, each individual has rights that must be upheld during a routine traffic stop, and a stop cannot be initiated without reasonable cause. A judge recently found that law enforcement agents didn't have just cause to initiate a stop that led to drunk driving charges for a Wisconsin man, and the charges against him were vacated in the process.
The incident reportedly stemmed from an investigation into another matter entirely. According to reports, police had pulled over another vehicle for unknown reasons, and they were attempting to locate an individual who had fled the scene on foot. While searching for this person, an officer came upon a separate vehicle, and after watching the driver make a sudden change in direction, the officer deemed the action as suspicious and initiated a traffic stop.
The driver of this vehicle was subsequently arrested and charged with drunk driving. During court proceedings, the officer testified that he thought the driver of the second vehicle might have been attempting to locate the man who ran from the scene and pick him up. During an appeal of the initial decision, a judge ruled that the circumstances of the situation did not amount to reasonable cause for the stop, and the charges against the man were subsequently vacated.
Upon being accused of drunk driving, a person in Wisconsin may find it beneficial to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. By consulting with an attorney, a person could obtain much-needed advice on what to expect from the process and how best to prepare for what comes next. An attorney can thoroughly examine the events leading up to a client's arrest, along with the charges and evidence against him or her, and assist in forming a strong defense for use during court proceedings.