Traffic Stops in Arizona DUI Cases

TRAFFIC STOPS & DUI

Illegal Traffic Stops in Arizona DUI Cases

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Reasonable Suspicion of Criminal Conduct

DEFENDING UNLAWFUL TRAFFIC STOPS IN ARIZONA DUI CASES

The police must have a reason to pull over a car. To be candid it does not have to be much of a reason, but they still must have some proof of a traffic violation or illegal activity.


The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees people to “be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” Article II, § 8, Right to Privacy, of the Arizona Constitution reads, ”No person shall be disturbed in his private affairs, or his home invaded, without authority of law.” These constitutional provisions forbid stopping a person unless there is a reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct. This is because an investigatory stop of an individual is a restraint on a detainee’s freedom of movement, and therefore, constitutes a “seizure.” 

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Traffic Stop Law Relevant DUI Cases

  • The Fourth Amendment applies to brief investigatory stops. United States v. Brignoni-Ponce, 422 U.S. 873, 878 (1975).
  • The temporary detention of individuals during a traffic stop is a seizure within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment. Whren v. United States, 517 U.S. 806, 809–810, 116 S.Ct. 1769, 135 L.Ed.2d 89 (1996).
  • Reasonable suspicion is “specific, articulable facts which, together with objective and reasonable inferences, form the bases for suspecting that the particular person detained is engaged in criminal activity.”
    United States v. Lopez–Soto, 205 F.3d 1101, 1105 (9th Cir.2000).
  • Reasonable suspicion is based on the totality of the circumstances. United States v. Montero–Camargo, 208 F.3d 1122, 1129 (9th Cir.2000) (en banc ).
  • An officer evaluating whether reasonable suspicion is present is entitled to draw on his or her “own experience and specialized training to make inferences from and deductions about the cumulative information available.”
    United States v. Arvizu, 534 U.S. 266, 273, 122 S.Ct. 744, 151 L.Ed.2d 740 (2002).
  • Because a traffic stop for a suspected violation of law is a seizure of the occupants of the vehicle, it “must be conducted in accordance with the Fourth Amendment.” Heien v. North Carolina, 574 U.S. ––––, 135 S.Ct. 530, 536, 190 L.Ed.2d 475 (2014).

"Lawrence represents very high-profile clients who greatly depend on a good outcome, and this guy will deliver. 

This is a prosecutor's worst nightmare, and it should be that way if you need an attorney."

- David E.

Real Client's Husband, Phoenix, AZ

Hiring an Experienced DUI/DWI Attorney

Arizona DUI law is extremely complicated and has severe consequences. DUI law is commonly referred to as a minefield. An attorney must be competent in the Arizona Rules of “Criminal” Procedure, the Arizona Rules of Evidence, the United States and Arizona Constitutions, and the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles Rules and Regulations.


An attorney cannot do anything for you unless he or she has extensive experience in these areas.  Police officers are only human and do commit legal errors.  However, only an experienced DUI attorney will be able to find these errors and use them to help his or her client.


You should choose an experienced DUI attorney for the same reason you should choose a qualified doctor. If you break your wrist, you go to a doctor that specializes in wrist injuries. When you are charged with a DUI, you should hire a qualified DUI attorney.


An experienced Arizona DUI attorney can analyze your case for legal errors and defenses. He or she can have blood samples independently analyzed, look for suppression issues, review calibration / COBRA records of breath machines, find the right expert witnesses for your trial, and assist you with your driver’s license issues.

For more information, call our office at (602)-494-3444 or visit our contact page.
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What Real People Are Saying

That is, DUI cases actually dismissed. Verifiable not guilty verdicts. Blood alcohol evidence truly suppressed as witnessed by judges, other lawyers, and newspapers.

Real Client's Husband, Phoenix, AZ

"Lawrence represents very high-profile clients who greatly depend on a good outcome, and this guy will deliver. 

This is a prosecutors' worse nightmare, and it should be that way if you need an attorney."

 - David E.

REAL CLIENT, PHOENIX, AZ

It was miracle!... A lot of people don't really understand the benefit of having an attorney who used to be a prosecutor. They know all the little tricks and scare tactics the state has as opposed to just hiring an attorney who is a little fish in a big pond."

 - Joe C.

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For more information, call our office at (602) 494-3444 or fill out the form and we will get back to you.

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Arizona DUI Blog


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