The Assistance Chief Police Officer for the Gordon Police Department, Andy Hester, found himself arrested for DUI according to local news. The arresting officer stated that he stopped Hester for violations involving a trailer Hester was towing. This is, of course, one example of techniques officers use to stop vehicles and investigate possible DUI drivers. After the stop, Georgia State Patrol (GSP) noticed several indicators of intoxication. Hester was laster arrested for Charges of DUI.
All police use various charges to stop vehicles, and vehicle maintenance or trailer maintenance violations are just one form of a stop which can lead to a DUI investigation. The scenario is usually you are driving see blue lights and the officer details out the reason for stopping you, or pulling you over, is that he “noticed your load was not properly secured on the trailer” or “your trailer plate is in the incorrect position” or “it appears that your vessel is not secured properly to the trailer” (such as your boat) or the most popular “your trailer lights appear to be inoperable.” Making sure that the trailer you are towing is in compliance with the Georgia Code and that all of the items on that trailer are in proper working order is of tantamount importance before you hitch up and start pulling. It doesn't matter if it is an enclosed trailer, a boat trailer, car trailer or just a regular hauling trailer, you need to make sure that it is in compliance with the rules for the road before you begin hauling.
After the stop, Hester was charged with driving an unsafe or improperly equipped vehicle and DUI.
The most important lesson here, in addition to the driving manifestations, is that no matter how we view the officers while they are performing DUI investigations, if they are willing to arrest “one of their own” they will absolutely arrest us (the general public).
It doesn't matter where you find yourself in Georgia. All police are investigating more and more DUI charges. Police forces like Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton , DeKalb County, City of Atlanta and Gwinnett County are cracking down on DUI's. Many traffic investigation “tools” allow the police to stop a vehicle for any “legal” reason, and their investigation can lead to a DUI if they suspect the driver has been drinking or using drugs.
In addition, due to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety teaming up with various organizations, including the HEAT and TEAM division of local counties, the police are now teaming up to stop the general public with even more investigative teamwork.
If the police have accused you of driving under the influence, then you need help from a trained DUI attorney. If you don't want to face the court alone or feel that you need help from an attorney, give our office a call regarding your citations. There are facts to every case where defenses can be raised for anyone charged with driving under the influence. Each situation is different from the other and requires an evaluation of all the information to mount a defense and an effective negotiation with the properly
