All 60 law enforcement officials with the Opelika Police Department (OPD) have recently completed some intensive new training on DUI investigations. This training is “designed to train officers in investigating impaired driving, and it takes them all the way through the investigation process [and] all the way through the court process,” program creator and Alabama Traffic Safety Prosecutor Brandon Hughes has explained.
The intent is to train officers on how to make DUI cases, how to better prepare these cases for prosecutors and how to testify in court in DUI cases (if and when this is needed).
According to Hughes, this training, which involves a four-hour course, is meant to help prosecutors get better results in DUI cases, which are among the more complicated criminal cases. Some are hoping that other law enforcement agencies in Alabama will take a cue from OPD and have their officers also complete this training on DUI investigations.
How these DUI Investigations Could Impact You
All 60 officials with the OPD have completed intensive new training on DUI investigations. The intent is to build stronger cases for prosecutors. Here’s what this may mean for you.
While this training on DUI investigations has been lauded by many, for motorists, it may mean that being informed about their rights – as well as what they should and should not do during DUI stops – is more important than ever.
In particular, here’s what drivers should know. During a DUI stop and/or after a DUI arrest, they have the rights to:
- Refuse to submit to field sobriety testing
- Refuse searches of their property
- Remain silent (as motorists are really only legally required to state their full legal name to officers and that’s it)
- Be informed of their Miranda rights (upon an arrest)
- Request and retain an attorney ASAP (and this request must legally stop any police interrogations until a lawyer has arrived).
Montgomery and Birmingham DUI Attorneys at Joe Reed & Associates, LLC
Have you been charged with a DUI? If so, it’s time to contact the Montgomery and Birmingham DUI lawyers at Joe Reed & Associates, LLC. For more than 16 years, we have been aggressive advocates for our clients, dedicated to pursuing justice and defending their rights in DUI and other criminal cases. Our experience, dedication and extensive knowledge of the law makes us effective at helping our clients craft the strongest possible defense cases and, in turn, obtaining the best possible outcomes to these cases.
By trusting us to represent you, you can rest assured that our skilled and dependable Montgomery and Birmingham DUI attorneys will build you a strong case, will stand up for your rights at every step of the legal process and will work relentlessly to resolve your case as favorably as possible.
Contact Us
You are invited to attend an initial consultation to discuss your case and learn more about your rights. To set up this meeting today, call us at 334-834-2000, or email us using the contact form at the top of this page. Initial consultations are free in most cases, and evening and weekend appointments are available for your convenience.