Centre County DUI

PA Judge Upholds DUI Traffic Stop Based on Driving Too Slowly

Posted in Centre County DUI on July 21, 2025

In Commonwealth v. Surovec, CR-868-2024, the Centre County Court of Common Pleas denied a motion to suppress evidence after a DUI arrest, ruling that the traffic stop was lawful because the driver was traveling at an unreasonably slow speed. This case highlights how driving too slowly—if it disrupts traffic—can provide Pennsylvania law enforcement with probable… view more

Judge Rules “Hot Pursuit” Justified DUI Stop Outside Jurisdiction

Posted in Centre County DUI, Fourth Amendment on July 17, 2025

In Commonwealth v. Lee, CP-14-CR-1136-2024, the Centre County Court of Common Pleas ruled that a Bellefonte police officer lawfully stopped a suspected drunk driver outside of her jurisdiction under Pennsylvania’s Municipal Police Jurisdiction Act (MPJA). This case provides important guidance for anyone facing DUI charges in Pennsylvania, especially when questions arise about whether officers acted… view more

Judge Denies Suppression Request in Centre County DUI

Posted in Centre County DUI on June 28, 2025

DUI Traffic Stop in Centre County: What Happened? In May 2023, police in Spring Township, PA, received a radio report about a recklessly driven silver Chevrolet truck with tinted windows. Minutes later, an officer spotted a similar vehicle and followed it. The driver pulled to the side of the road without activating a turn signal… view more

Illegal Stop Leads to Suppression of Evidence in State College DUI

Posted in Centre County DUI on August 20, 2022

Unconstitutional Traffic Stop In a recent State College DUI case, a police officer conducted a traffic stop for a speeding violation.  The officer had followed the driver for approximately four miles and, using the police car’s speedometer, clocked the driver’s speed at 53.7 miles per hour in a posted 45 mile per hour zone.  During… view more

Judge Dismisses Charges in Centre County DUI

Posted in Centre County DUI on July 10, 2022

In a recent Centre County DUI case, a judge was required to determine whether or not the prosecutor had presented sufficient evidence to show that the suspect had been intoxicated to the extent that he was incapable of safe driving.  The charge was a bit outside the norm because the suspect had refused to submit… view more

Evidence Suppressed in State College DUI Case – Illegal Traffic Stop

Posted in Centre County DUI on April 5, 2020

The law applies to everyone, including police officer when performing their duties and conducting investigations.  If the police violate a person’s constitutional rights during an investigation, then the law requires that evidence seized as a result of the violation must be suppressed and cannot be used at future court proceedings.  It is a simple concept,… view more

Detention or Custody in State College DUI Investigation

Posted in Centre County DUI, General on January 12, 2015

By Jason Dunkle on G+ In a recent blog, I discussed when police-citizen interactions are investigative detentions or custodial situations, and I reviewed a typical Penn State marijuana possession investigation to show both concepts in a practical situation. I also noted that the distinction between a mere encounter and custody can be important for 5th… view more

State College DUI Case – Virginia DUI Not a “Prior Offense”

Posted in Centre County DUI on January 12, 2015

DUI charges are treated as very serious offenses in Pennsylvania as evidenced by the mandatory minimum penalties that must be imposed for convictions. The mandatory minimum penalties often include mandatory periods of incarceration, license suspensions, and fines. The DUI signs that one routinely sees along Pennsylvania roadways that state “DUI – You Can’t Afford It”… view more