If you have ever gotten behind the wheel after having a few drinks, you should know the risks you are taking in doing so. One of those potential consequences is getting pulled over for a DUI offense. This is a risk that you take any time you drive after consuming alcohol. If you have never been pulled over for a DUI, you may be wondering how to handle the situation if you do get pulled over. Learn some of the things that you should not do if you have been stopped for a DUI. This will help you if you ever experience this in the future.
Do Not Drive after Drinking
Before you learn about what you should do if you are pulled over for a DUI, this is the biggest "don't" of them all. You should absolutely not get behind the wheel after you have been drinking alcohol, especially if you are at all "buzzed" or intoxicated. This is the best way to handle potentially getting a DUI. Avoid the situation altogether.
Do Not Get Combative or Argumentative
If you do get pulled over under the suspicion of a DUI, the last thing you want to do is get argumentative or combative with the police officer. Even in a situation in which you are certain that you are well under the legal limit, you do not want to give the cop a hard time. When you are combative or argumentative, the police officer may have greater reason to detain you, give you a field sobriety test, or otherwise ticket you or charge you with crimes. Being belligerent will only serve to make the officer more suspicious of you and more adamant that something is amiss. Stay calm and respectful.
Do Not State How Much You Have Been Drinking
In addition to avoiding combative behavior, you will also want to avoid any discussions of how much you have been drinking. If the officer asks whether you have been drinking, answer yes or no (honestly). However, do not elaborate. Even if you tell the truth about how many drinks you have had, this information may be used against you if a DUI charge is filed. It could either indicate that you were being dishonest with the officers or show that you knew you had been drinking to excess and chose to get behind the wheel anyway (if you tell the truth and the number of drinks is high).
Now that you know some of the things not to do in the case of a potential DUI, you can handle the situation as well as possible if it ever happens to you. And if it does, you should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to get assistance in dealing with the charges you may be facing.
Share24 October 2018
I have never been someone who likes the idea of suing another person, but after my family was plowed into by a drunk driver with no regard for the law, my tune changed. I realized that I needed to do what I could in order to make things right, so I started looking for a lawyer who could help me to fight for the settlement I deserved. It took a few months in court, but by the time I won my settlement, I felt a lot better about things. This blog is all about getting the legal help you need when you need it the most.