Tampa DUI Lawyer Blog
St. Petersburg, FL – A 26-year-old city police officer was placed on administrative leave last month after accusations arose that she was driving under the influence while off duty.
The woman was arrested in her personal vehicle by a Pinellas deputy near St. Petersburg.
According to a spokesman for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, authorities were called to the intersection of 54th Avenue N and 66th Street at about 3:45 a.m. because the woman was allegedly stopped at a red light and not going anywhere.
A citizen apparently notified authorities.
The deputy allegedly found the off-duty officer passed out in her vehicle.
She apparently refused field sobriety tests. According to the arresting officer, her blood alcohol content level was recorded at 0.185 and 0.173 percent.
She was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County Jail.
Following a DUI arrest, it is important to understand that you have legal options. Many people are wrongly accused of driving under the influence because often a DUI arrest stems from the judgment of one police officer. When you are arrested for DUI in St. Petersburg, it is simply because the officer believes you are impaired. The arrest is based purely on their opinion. In fact, all the officer can base his or her opinion on is your demeanor and appearance.
Some of the reasons for a wrongful DUI arrest include:
• Police Officer Bias
• Unfair Field Sobriety Tests
• Inaccurate Breathalyzer Test Results
• Wrongly Interpreted Breathalyzer Test Results
• High Blood Alcohol Content from something other than Alcohol
• Mishandling of Evidence
• Evidence Does Not Match the Officer’s Report
If you have been falsely accused of DUI in Pinellas County, a St. Petersburg DUI Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you establish a powerful defense in order to prove your innocence. You must act fast and record the events surrounding your DUI arrest right away. This information can include documenting any witnesses and their contact information as well as any information about the officer that arrested you. This can help your attorney better understand what happened during your arrest and whether any of your rights were violated.
For further assistance with your DUI matter, contact a St. Petersburg DUI Attorney at Whittel & Melton online or call 727-847-2299.