Court Opinion

ID: 9764033
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 03:08:20.647965+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:52.788371
License: Public Domain

ON REHEARING
One of the bases for McClain’s motion for rehearing is that, contrary to what is said in our opinion, he did not admit, before getting out of his car, to having drunk three beers. McClain contends that this fact shows that the officer did not have probable cause to question or test McClain for driving while intoxicated.
The record is not clear as to whether McClain made the statement before or after he got out of his car, but even if he made the statement only after he was out of the car, it would not change our decision. An officer who stops a vehicle for speeding or other traffic violation may require the driver to get out of the car for further investigation purposes. Glover v. State, 870 S.W.2d 198 (Tex.App.-Fort Worth 1994, pet. ref'd); State v. Vasquez, 842 S.W.2d 841 (Tex.App.-Beaumont 1992, pet. ref'd). Once the driver has stepped out of his vehicle, the officer who hears or becomes aware of other evidence from or about the suspect that raises a reasonable suspicion that the driver is intoxicated has probable cause to conduct an investigation of possible driving while intoxicated.
The motion for rehearing is overruled.