There are a variety of different reasons why a person driving during the early morning hours could have difficulties. For example, fatigue can have a huge impact on a person’s driving. Despite this, police may be quick to assume that any issues with driving that they witness during a certain time of day is as a result of alcohol consumption. In fact, a Virginia woman is now facing drunk driving charges after a traffic stop.
The incident that led to the woman’s arrest reportedly happened just before 2:30 a.m. on day in late December. Police claim that they initiated a traffic stop after witnessing the driver of a sports utility vehicle speeding. They also claim that the driver was not controlling the vehicle properly, but it is unclear what police reportedly witnessed.
The vehicle was reportedly occupied by a 26-year-old female driver, another adult passenger and a 10-month old baby. Police say that they made the determination that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. As a result, she was arrested.
In addition to facing drunk driving charges, the woman is also charged with felony child neglect and reckless driving. While it may be easy to assume that alcohol was a factor based on the time of day that the incident happened, there must be more than assumptions to meet the high burden of proof required by the court. If law enforcement officials cannot prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the woman must be acquitted. An attorney with experience with such cases can help the Virginia woman fully understand her options, ensuring that she is prepared to make informed decisions.