Authorities use the term ‘exigent circumstances’ to describe a situation necessitates a warrantless search and/or seizure of a suspect’s property, including their bodily fluids. This usually applies in emergencies when police know someone is in imminent danger of harm. Cops bust down doors without search warrants because waiting to do so could put someone’s life in jeopardy. In the wake of an important U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the definition of exigent circumstances as it applies to DUI stops may have changed forever.
The following is a guest post courtesy of Darwin Overson, a Salt Lake City DUI attorney.
DUI checkpoints, breathalyzers and field sobriety tests are all tactics employed by state and local police in New Jersey to detect those operating under the influence. How effective are these methods? Depends on who you ask and the type of equipment authorities use. On the heels of a judge’s ruling that overturned more than 20 alcohol-related convictions in neighboring Pennsylvania, police have reexamined their strategies for handling DUI suspects. Do you need a corresponding change to protect your rights? Our DUI lawyers explain. (more…)
