Tag: field sobriety tests

Don’t Answer this Question During an OWI Traffic Stop

The drunk driving lawyers at GRL Law routinely advise people what to do during a traffic stop. For example, you should provide your license, registration and proof of insurance upon request.  And, if the officer asks you to step out of your car, then follow those directions. But when it comes to field sobriety tests, you can politely decline.  A preliminary breath test?  Sure, if they agree to show you the result. However, there is one question that you should never answer at the roadside. “So, on a scale of zero to ten, with zero being the most sober and […]

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Public Intoxication Charge Dismissed at State’s Cost

Sometimes police are way too aggressive in their attempts to ferret out crime.  When that occurs, the criminal defense attorneys at GRL Law are often called to secure justice for the accused. A perfect example of this happened recently in Ankeny. Our client was simply walking on a sidewalk when the police approached in a patrol car.  Small talk soon led to a request for field sobriety and breath testing, both of which were politely refused.  When the officer announced he was making an arrest, our client offered a breath test. The result? 0.019 percent alcohol.  Maybe a beer’s worth.  […]

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Suppression of Urine Test Result Leads to OWI Dismissal WIN

Northwood, Worth County, Iowa.  The district court in Worth County granted the State’s motion to dismiss the charge of OWI, but not before suppressing the results of a urine test. A thorough review of traffic stop and implied consent videos revealed several issues that were briefed by the drugged driving attorneys at GRL Law, including whether: The deputy lacked reasonable suspicion to detain the driver; The deputy unreasonably prolonged the traffic stop to await a drug dog; The drug dog trespassed onto the vehicle turning the “free air sniff” into an unreasonable search; The handler cued the drug dog to […]

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