Driver Arrested for DUI After Crashing into a Squad Car-Right After that Officer Had Finished Making an Earlier DUI Arrest

According to an Illinois police report, on Saturday, March 8, a state trooper had pulled a driver over at around 3:33 a.m., and that driver was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. The suspect was sitting in the right rear passenger seat of the squad car when the trooper stepped inside the car to write out a report and other necessary paperwork. At that point, another vehicle rear-ended the squad car. While no injuries were reported, the officer had to clamber out of the car, and it took the help of a witness and the officer to get the arrested suspect out of the back of the squad car. Then the officer reported finding probable cause that the driver who crashed into the squad car was also intoxicated. That driver was arrested on a DUI charge. The squad car had to be towed away.

A Crash Does Not Automatically Provide a Reason for an Arrest

While an officer cannot pull you over on a pure hunch, or if you are only swerving inside your lane a bit, for example, there are some clear-cut signals that give an officer all the reason (probable cause) needed to detain you. Getting into an accident is one such instance where an officer needs no further probable cause to investigate. Crashing into a police car is really not the way to avoid suspicion of drunk driving. But even if there is a real reason for a police officer to pull you over, the officer still needs additional probable cause in order to make an arrest. While no such details were given in the news report, they still may have occurred in this case. But if you have been arrested for a DUI in Chicago, it is vital that you make sure none of your rights were violated.

You Can Fight Your DUI Charge

An experienced criminal attorney can look over your case to see if the officer had a real reason to stop you, or even a real reason for the arrest. If the police stop or arrest were unlawful, then you might have key evidence or even your charges thrown out. This is just one way to discredit a failed DUI test, for example. You do not have to plead guilty! With the help of a skilled criminal lawyer in Chicago, you can fight the most severe penalties and charges by getting your charge, and thus sentence, reduced. Our DUI lawyer may even be able to get your case dismissed. His case results show how he has been able to achieve great results even in defending against complex charges. Learn more about your DUI defense options when you contact the Law Offices of Michael P. Schmiege, or when you schedule a free consultation with our criminal attorney in Chicago today! Our firm is available 24/7.