Tag Archives: probable cause to stop

Too many drivers believe that drinking “non-alcoholic” beer or wine while driving eliminates any chance of having a difficult experience with a law-enforcement officer.  Unfortunately, this belief may be misplaced. First, if an officer observes the driver drinking what appears to be an “alcoholic” beverage while driving, the driver will likely be stopped and questioned. Generally, a driver’s constitutional rights require that an officer have either reasonable suspicion or probable cause that the driver is committing a crime or about ... Read More »

In February 2016, the Tennessee Supreme Court in two separate opinions ruled that, “It is well established that a traffic violation—however minor—creates probable cause to stop the driver of a vehicle.”  See also, Cross the Fog Line 1 Time, Expect to be Stopped. In State of Tennessee v. William Whitlow Davis, Jr., the officer turned on his blue lights and pulled the Defendant over after witnessing the Defendant cross over the double yellow center lane lines of a curvy road with ... Read More »