Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated is a criminal offense that can result in serious consequences, from losing your license to incarceration. If an officer pulls you over and arrests you for DWI, and you subsequently fail a breath test, it’s time to call a lawyer. What happens, however, if police pull you over due to an anonymous 911 call? Read on to find out.

What Is the Confusion Around Anonymous Tips?

Many take issue with anonymous tips, suggesting they may be a prank, a means of getting another person in trouble, or founded upon insufficient facts. Although 911 operators do deal with many non-emergencies, anonymous “tips” are viewed by the courts with suspicion, unless properly corroborated by independent police observation, or are sufficiently detailed so to provide police with reasonable suspicion a crime is being committed.

Such scenarios are more common than you might think, and have led to Supreme Court cases lawyers have scratched their heads over. Say you leave a friend’s house intoxicated and insist on driving home, and your concerned pal then calls police to reel you in. If he identifies himself by name, the stop will probably stand up. If he doesn’t, it all depends on what he tells the 911 operator and how much detail he gives them. Alternatively, you could be driving erratically, prompting a motorist to call 911. Again, if the motorist remains anonymous, it will become a matter of what he or she describes, and then what the police actually observe, if they observe anything at all.

The Bottom Line About DWI Charges

Whatever the reason for the stop, if you do find yourself in trouble for DWI, it’s essential to get a good lawyer. A DWI attorney with knowledge of the law will know what to do to build a strong defense, and get you the best possible result.

For a DWI lawyer in Rochester, NY, look to Thomas A. Corletta, Attorney at Law. Specializing in DWI and traffic violations, he has been helping clients for over 37 years. You will always deal with Attorney Corletta directly, ensuring your case gets the professional attention and expertise it deserves. Find out more about this lawyer’s background online. For an appointment, call (585) 546-5072.