Practice Areas
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Personal Injury and Automobile Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- DUI, Traffic and Criminal Law Defense
- Business Litigation
- Divorce
Blog 
DUI, Traffic and Criminal Law Defense
- Changes to "Move Over" law effective July 1, 2010
- National "Click It or Ticket" campaign begins today
- Special license plates for convicted DUI offenders?
- The fallout from a DUI conviction
- Can an anonymous tip be used as the sole justification for stopping a suspected drunk drivers?
Firm News
Former Virginia Beach deputy sentenced in DUI crash case
Posted on 6/27/2010
Shore Drive speed limit lowered to 35
Posted on 6/4/2010
Child Abuse Charges for Virginia Beach DUI Driver with Kids in Car
Posted on 5/31/2010
DUI Conviction for Former Virginia Beach Police Officer
Posted on 5/28/2010
Felony charges for "sexting" Franklin teens
Posted on 5/20/2010
Are alcoholic energy drinks to blame for Virginia Beach DUI death?
Posted on 4/30/2010
Virginia Beach city employee charged with DUI after hit-and-run crash
Posted on 4/30/2010
Bond revoked for man accused in Virginia Beach DUI hit-and-run
Posted on 4/26/2010
Richmond to Install Red-Light Cameras
Posted on 4/22/2010
St. Patty’s sobriety checkpoints lead to 9 Virginia Beach DUI arrests
Posted on 3/27/2010
Firm Library
DUI, Traffic and Criminal Law Defense
- Can the Virginia bar or restaurant where you were drinking be held responsible for your DUI?
- What to expect after a Virginia DUI arrest
- Virginia DUI Attorney: Why you need to FIGHT HARD against DUI charges
- The high stakes of a DUI conviction in Virginia
- Virginia's Move Over/Slow Down law regarding emergency vehicles
Virginia police asking tipsters to call in about suspected drunk drivers
Posted on Oct 27, 2009
Virginia police are encouraging anonymous tipsters to call in when they spot a driver who might be under the influence of alcohol. This is despite a recent court ruling that threw out a case against an intoxicated driver because the anonymous tipster was the only one who personally witnessed the driver’s drunken behavior.
After Richmond area police received an anonymous tip in 2005, an officer pulled over the suspect in Virginia. According to police reports, the individual smelled of alcohol and failed the field sobriety tests. As a result, the individual was charged with driving while intoxicated.
However, the Virginia Supreme Court recently threw out the conviction because the traffic stop was based on an anonymous tip. The police officer, reasoned the court, did not witness the driver violating any traffic laws. According to the court, there was not enough reasonable suspicion for the police officer to stop the intoxicated driver.
The case was headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which this week decided that they would not hear the case.
A spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic stated that despite the Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling, police officers will still rely on anonymous tips about suspected drunken drivers. However, it is unclear what value tips will provide police departments across the state if they won’t hold up in court.
Read More About Virginia police asking tipsters to call in about suspected drunk drivers...
Ask an Attorney
Free Consultation
Michael S. Weisberg, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223
Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
Get Directions
FAQs
DUI, Traffic and Criminal Law Defense
- Will a traffic court's determination of guilt or innocence affect the outcome of my civil suit for personal injury?
- If I am guilty of the charge, shouldn't I plead guilty and pay the fine?
- Do you guarantee that my case will be successful?
- I have been asked to sign some forms by the police officers. What should I do?
- When should an attorney be present with me?