Police body camera footage has become an increasingly important piece of evidence in DUI cases. This footage is able to provide a real-time, detailed account of what happens during a traffic stop, field sobriety tests, and arrests, and can either support or undermine a DUI defense depending on what it contains.
At The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan, our DUI attorneys in Clearwater are skilled in carefully analyzing bodycam recordings to protect our clients and build the strongest possible defense.
How Bodycam Footage Can Help Your Defense
One of the main benefits of police bodycam footage is that it includes the full context of the traffic stop. Unlike written police reports, which can sometimes be vague or subjective, bodycam videos provide an unfiltered view of the interaction between you and the officer. If you acted respectfully, cooperated fully, and followed instructions, your Clearwater DUI defense lawyer with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan can often argue that your behavior was inconsistent with someone impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Bodycam footage also highlights how the arresting officer conducted themself. If they failed to follow proper procedures, did not read you your rights, or lacked legal justification to stop or arrest you, the video can be important when filing motions to suppress evidence or challenging the legality of your arrest.
When Bodycam Footage Can Hurt Your DUI Defense
On the other hand, bodycam footage can also work against you if it captures behavior indicating impairment. Videos that show slurred speech, unsteady movements, erratic driving, or poor performance on field sobriety tests will likely strengthen the prosecution’s case. Even hesitation or confusion in responding to questions can be interpreted as signs of intoxication.
The footage may also confirm that the officer acted lawfully and followed proper procedure throughout the stop and arrest. If the video verifies that there was valid probable cause for the stop and that field sobriety tests were administered correctly, it can weaken your defense by removing grounds to challenge the arrest or suppress evidence.
Legal Strategies Involving Bodycam Footage
If you choose to work with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan, your DUI attorney in Clearwater will review all bodycam footage closely to determine how it can be used to your advantage, or to lessen any damaging aspects. If there are any constitutional rights, your attorney can file motions to suppress evidence gathered as a result of the illegal stop, which could potentially lead to it being excluded from your case.
Bodycam footage is also valuable when questioning the validity of field sobriety test results. The recording may show poor testing conditions, such as uneven ground or low light, or reveal that the officer gave confusing instructions. These factors can help argue that the test results were unreliable or improperly conducted.
Why You Need Experienced Legal Representation
Whether bodycam footage helps or hurts your DUI case depends heavily on how it is interpreted and presented in court, which makes it imperative to have an experienced DUI attorney on your side who understands how to most effectively utilize it.
To get a complimentary DUI case consultation with one of the top DUI defense lawyers in Clearwater, call our office at (727) 291-9717 today.