Arkansas Court of Appeals Reverses DWI Checkpoint Decision

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Dec. 15, 2015 - PRLog -- In a recent decision, the Arkansas Court of Appeals reversed a previous circuit court’s ruling on the lawfulness of a 2012 sobriety checkpoint and arrest conducted by Arkansas State Police. Little Rock DWI attorney (http://www.ccrlawfirm.com/john-collins-arkansas-attorney/) John Collins of the law firm Collins, Collins & Ray, P.A. argued successfully for the defense. Collins represented Jeremy Whalen, who was arrested at the checkpoint in 2012 and initially convicted of DWI in 2014.

The Court of Appeals’ decision to declare the sobriety checkpoint unlawful was based on the apparent lack of organization, discretion, and established procedural standards on the part of the State Police. Collins sees the ruling as a victory for Arkansas citizens, accountable policing, and the protection against unlawful search and seizure.

“The U.S. Supreme Court says you can run roadblocks for DWI investigations, but there has to be limits,” Collins said. “The police can't just set up roadblocks anywhere at any time. This ruling shows that supervisors must be held accountable, which goes beyond just the officer in the field.”

The State Police is said to have conducted other roadblocks similar to the one described in the case in recent years, but spokesmen from both the State Police and the Arkansas Attorney General’s office stated it was too early to say how the court’s decision will affect future investigations.

Collins has practiced law in Little Rock for over 15 years, focusing on defending Arkansas citizens facing DWI/DUI charges. Before starting his own practice, Collins previously served as a prosecuting attorney and before that, as a police officer.

About Collins, Collins & Ray

Collins, Collins & Ray was formed between good friends that had a common desire: to work in a friendly environment where the needs of the client come before anything else. Each of the founding attorneys has worked in public service and has dedicated their professional development to helping others. Separately, the attorneys have gained experience as in-house counsel for a group of trucking and brokerage companies, as an insurance defense attorney, and two as prior police officers who went on to work as prosecutors after law school.

The award-winning firm focuses on several areas of the law including DWI/DUI defense, personal injury, medical malpractice, insurance claims, property disputes, and employment law, among others.

The founding attorneys knew that if they combined their experiences, they could help people in a way that they were previously unable to. The firm now provides more services and will allow additional time to spend on clients’ cases without the time constraints placed on attorneys at other practices. For more information, visit http://www.ccrlawfirm.com.