If you’ve been arrested for DUI, you need a skilled Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer on your side immediately. The State must prove more than your breath alcohol level—they must also justify the traffic stop that led to your arrest.
This is one of the most powerful tools a Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer has: the ability to challenge the stop.
🔹 Was the Stop Legal to Begin With?
Under both the U.S. and Florida Constitutions, police need reasonable suspicion to pull you over. That could include:
Swerving, speeding, or failing to maintain a lane
Broken tail light or expired registration
911 call alleging erratic driving
🚨 But if the officer stopped you without clear justification, your lawyer can file a motion to suppress. If granted, any evidence obtained—like field sobriety tests or breath results—may be thrown out.
🔹 Officer Didn’t Follow Proper Protocol?
Even if the stop was technically legal, your lawyer can examine whether:
The officer extended the stop without reasonable cause
You were improperly removed from your vehicle
Field sobriety exercises were incorrectly administered
Implied consent procedures were violated
📉 These small procedural mistakes can undermine the State’s case and lead to dismissal.
🔹 Video, Bodycam, and Dispatch Logs
A DUI lawyer can also demand:
Dashcam and bodycam footage
Dispatch audio confirming why the stop occurred
Arrest reports for inconsistencies
đź’ˇ In many cases, these recordings show that the officer lacked clear justification—or failed to observe the signs of impairment they claimed in their report.
🔹 Suppression = Leverage
Once a motion to suppress is filed, prosecutors know the case could fall apart. That gives your lawyer powerful leverage to:
Negotiate a reduction to reckless driving
Push for dismissal of the charges
Make you eligible for record sealing later
đź“Ś Related:Can a DUI Be Reduced to Reckless Driving in Florida?
🔹 Why a Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer Always Starts With the Traffic Stop
That’s why challenging the stop is one of the first things our team investigates.
At Michael White, P.A., we:
Scrutinize the legality of the stop
Demand every second of footage
Push for dismissal before trial
We defend clients throughout Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Davie, Plantation, Deerfield Beach, and all of Broward County.
đź“ž Arrested for DUI in Fort Lauderdale?
Don’t plead guilty before reviewing your case. You may have defenses you don’t even know about—especially if the stop was bad from the start.
📞 ata-start=”3694″ data-end=”3730″>Call now for a free consultation with a Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer who knows how to challenge every step of the State’s case.
🙋♂️ What People Ask About Fort Lauderdale DUI Stops
Q1: Can a DUI be dismissed if the traffic stop was illegal?
âś… Yes. If the stop lacked legal justification, all evidence gathered afterward can be suppressed—leading to dismissal.
Q2: What is a motion to suppress in a DUI case?
🧾 It’s a formal request to exclude evidence (like breath test results) that was obtained illegally. Your lawyer files this with the court.
Q3: What if I wasn’t driving erratically but still got stopped for DUI?
⚖️ That may be a defense. If there’s no objective reason for the stop, your attorney can argue that your rights were violated.
Q4: How long does it take to fight a DUI in Broward County?
📆 Most DUI cases take 3–6 months to resolve, depending on the evidence and whether motions or trial are involved.
Q5: Do all DUI cases go to trial?
❌ No. Many are resolved through motions, plea negotiations, or diversion programs—especially with an experienced defense lawyer.