Getting stopped by the police can be stressful. But in some cases, the stop may not have followed the law. If the traffic stop was illegal, it could affect the whole case. A defense lawyer can raise this issue and try to get the charges reduced or dismissed. Knowing how this works is important, especially in DUI or other criminal cases.
Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers helps people challenge illegal traffic stops. If the police officer lacked reasonable suspicion or made an unlawful stop, we examine every detail. We look at the officer’s actions, the reason for the stop, and whether your rights were violated. If the stop violated your Fourth Amendment rights, it may lead to key evidence being thrown out.
A good criminal defense attorney can make this the turning point in your case. We know how to challenge the stop and protect your legal rights.
Why the Legality of a Traffic Stop Matters
The reason behind the stop matters because it affects what evidence can be used. If the stop was illegal, any evidence obtained during or after it may not be allowed in court.
The Fourth Amendment and Unlawful Search and Seizure
The Fourth Amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures. That means police officers must follow specific rules when stopping a vehicle. If they pull you over without reasonable suspicion, it could be an unlawful stop.
In that case, the evidence gathered during the stop might not be allowed in court, including results from a breath test or anything you say at the scene.
Impact on DUI and Criminal Cases
An illegal stop can weaken the prosecution’s case. If the stop is ruled illegal, key parts of the dui evidence may be suppressed. That includes test results, your statements, and anything found during a search.
In some cases, this leads to charges being reduced or dropped. The criminal justice system takes these violations seriously, especially when law enforcement officers ignore your Fourth Amendment rights.
Suppressing Evidence From an Illegal Stop
When a stop is deemed illegal, your lawyer can file a motion to suppress evidence. This means asking the court to block anything collected during the stop from being used against you. Under the exclusionary rule, courts often throw out evidence obtained through unreasonable searches or without probable cause. This can leave the prosecutor with nothing to work with.
Legal Standards for a Lawful Traffic Stop
Police must follow certain rules before stopping a car. If they don’t, the stop may not hold up in court.
Reasonable Suspicion Requirement
Police must have reasonable suspicion to stop a vehicle. This means they must observe something specific that makes them believe a traffic violation or criminal activity is happening.
A reasonable and articulable suspicion must be based on facts, not just a guess. Without that, the stop may be ruled illegal, and anything that follows may be tossed out.
Examples of Valid vs. Invalid Reasons to Stop a Vehicle
Valid reasons:
- Running a red light
- Speeding
- Broken tail light
Invalid reasons:
- Officer pulls you over based on a “hunch”
- Stopping you just because you were leaving a certain neighborhood
- No clear traffic offense or traffic violation
Probable Cause vs. Reasonable Suspicion
| Legal Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Reasonable Suspicion | A lower standard. Officer must see behavior that suggests something illegal is happening. |
| Probable Cause | A higher standard. Needed for arrest or to search without a search warrant. |
Common Signs of an Illegal Traffic Stop
Sometimes it’s clear a stop had no valid reason. If you were obeying traffic laws, didn’t commit a traffic violation, and the officer had no reasonable suspicion, it might be an illegal traffic stop.
What Happens If the Stop Is Ruled Illegal?
If the judge agrees the stop was illegal, it can change your case. The court may block certain evidence and weaken the charges against you.
Suppression of Evidence (Breath Test, Statements)
Once a stop is ruled illegal, the court may suppress everything that came from it. That could include your driver’s license information, anything you said, and test results like a breath test or blood test. This can be a major blow to the prosecutor’s case.
Motion to Dismiss Charges
Your lawyer may file a motion to dismiss the case if there’s no solid DUI evidence left. If the unlawful stop led to everything else, the entire case may fall apart. Courts may agree, especially if your Fourth Amendment rights were clearly violated.
The Role of a DUI or Criminal Defense Lawyer
When you’re facing DUI charges after a traffic stop, having the right legal support becomes critical. A DUI or criminal defense lawyer will examine whether the stop was lawful and look for ways to weaken the case against you. They know how to challenge illegal traffic stops and protect your rights every step of the way.
Gathering Evidence to Support Your Defense
A skilled defense lawyer will collect all the evidence related to your stop, including dashcam footage, officer body cam video, and the official police report. They’ll also review witness accounts, check for signs of unreasonable searches, and make sure the officer followed the law.
By closely examining the facts, your lawyer can find errors in how law enforcement officers handled the stop. If your driver’s license was taken or DUI evidence was collected without cause, they’ll know how to use that in your favor during your defense.
Filing a Motion to Suppress
If your lawyer finds that the traffic stop violated your rights, they can file a motion to suppress. This asks the court to block the use of evidence obtained during the stop, such as breath test results or statements you made.
The argument is based on the exclusionary rule, which stops courts from using evidence gathered during an unlawful stop. If granted, this motion can remove key parts of the case, making it hard for the prosecution to move forward. A strong motion can shift the entire outcome in your favor.
Arguing Constitutional Violations in Court
When the stop goes against your Fourth Amendment rights, your lawyer will explain that in court. They’ll show how the police officer lacked reasonable suspicion or probable cause to pull you over. The lawyer may point out there was no clear traffic violation or criminal activity to justify the stop.
If the stop is deemed illegal, any evidence gathered afterward can often be thrown out. A good defense attorney knows how to argue these violations clearly, using the law to protect your freedom.
If you were pulled over and now face DUI charges or another criminal charge, you may be wondering if the stop was even legal. When police fail to follow the law, the entire case can fall apart. 
