South Dakota police officers are often on the lookout for impaired drivers. Many enforcement efforts occur on an individual basis. Police officers perform chemical tests after crashes or when they pull someone over for driving poorly. However, some people get arrested...
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DUI
3 types of blood alcohol tests drivers may face
The police can ask drivers questions during traffic stops if they suspect that a driver is drunk. A driver may also be asked to do a field sobriety test, which can help the police identify signs of inebriation. However, these investigative tools do not always confirm...
What happens during field sobriety testing?
Driving under the influence (DUI) traffic stops may start with a few questions about someone's recent activities. If police officers think someone may have had too much to drink, they can ask someone to perform field sobriety tests. Drivers often don't know what to...
What to expect with a first-time DUI
Facing criminal charges for the first time is nearly always a frightening experience. You may expect a first driving under the influence (DUI) charge to be different, but the process and possible outcome can put you at just as much risk as some other charges....
What’s considered reasonable suspicion in re: a drunk driving stop?
Reasonable suspicion is a legal standard that plays a crucial role in traffic stops for suspected drunk driving. This concept allows police officers to stop and briefly detain a driver if they have observed specific facts suggesting that a crime, such as drunk...
3 essential elements of a drunk driving stop
When a law enforcement officer conducts a drunk driving stop, several critical elements come into play. These concerns are designed to ensure that the stop is lawful and that any evidence of intoxication is accurately assessed. Understanding these elements is...
3 types of evidence often used in South Dakota DUI cases
People often think of driving under the influence (DUI) charges as open-and-shut criminal cases. They assume that the state has relatively authoritative evidence after arresting someone. However, it is actually possible for many people accused of drunk driving in...
Does the Miranda warning matter during a DUI arrest?
Someone who is pulled over for a driving under the influence (DUI) infraction in South Dakota could face arrest and criminal prosecution. Police officers often screen drivers during traffic stops and after collisions for warning signs of impairment. Once they have...
Does drinking increase around the holidays?
Drinking and driving happens every day. The data suggests that the weekends experience the highest rate of drunk driving crashes, showing that injurious impaired driving behavior is more common at times when people are simply more likely to consume alcohol. Many...
Don’t let happy hour turn into a DUI
After a long, stressful day at work, relaxing with friends and a few drinks feels good. The good-natured camaraderie keeps you laughing as the tension melts away. The last thing you expect is for those few after-work drinks to become a DUI. The consequences of a DUI...