5 Things To Remember When Pulled Over For DUI
1. Have all of your driving documents in hand. Police officers will always ask for your license, proof of insurance, and registration. You must remember that they will take careful note of every move you make so if you have these papers on you, there will be less fumbling and the officers will have less to hold against you. It is difficult to avoid jail if you have been drinking but following these steps will aid in your defense and lessen the severity of later punishment.
2. Do not respond to interrogation by the police. It is always better to wait for a lawyer than to answer the questions asked by the police on your own. Anything you say will most likely be held against you and it will be easier to answer the questions at a later time. There is no rule that you have to answer the questions without a lawyer present. You can instead answer by saying something like, "I have been advised not to answer these questions."
3. Do not take the field sobriety tests. Most people also do not realize that you don't have to take the sobriety tests administered by the police officers. These tests, including the one leg stand test, the walk-and-turn test, and the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, can only harm you in trial later. The only issue with not taking the tests is that you will go to jail; however, this is worth it because of the benefit of not having this evidence against you in court.
4. Do not agree to the breathalyzer. This only applies to those over 21 years of age. If you are under 21 you must take the test. These tests are notoriously unreliable and can only harm your case. When it is an option, a blood test is a much better option. This test is technically called the Preliminary Alcohol Screener and is a hand-held breathalyzer that officers carry at the scene. If you end up taking one of these tests, there is almost no hope to avoid arrest.
5. Use your phone two phone calls to your advantage. Call a friend and speak clearly and enunciate properly. This will show the officers that may be present how coherent you are. You also now have a witness to your speaking ability and your friend can testify to your advantage. Calling your voicemail is also a good use of a phone call as you can use the voicemail you left in court to prove to the judge that you were in fact coherent and able to speak without slurring your words.
Have you been charged with a DUI? Get a Charleston DUI Lawyer that can help!
2. Do not respond to interrogation by the police. It is always better to wait for a lawyer than to answer the questions asked by the police on your own. Anything you say will most likely be held against you and it will be easier to answer the questions at a later time. There is no rule that you have to answer the questions without a lawyer present. You can instead answer by saying something like, "I have been advised not to answer these questions."
3. Do not take the field sobriety tests. Most people also do not realize that you don't have to take the sobriety tests administered by the police officers. These tests, including the one leg stand test, the walk-and-turn test, and the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, can only harm you in trial later. The only issue with not taking the tests is that you will go to jail; however, this is worth it because of the benefit of not having this evidence against you in court.
4. Do not agree to the breathalyzer. This only applies to those over 21 years of age. If you are under 21 you must take the test. These tests are notoriously unreliable and can only harm your case. When it is an option, a blood test is a much better option. This test is technically called the Preliminary Alcohol Screener and is a hand-held breathalyzer that officers carry at the scene. If you end up taking one of these tests, there is almost no hope to avoid arrest.
5. Use your phone two phone calls to your advantage. Call a friend and speak clearly and enunciate properly. This will show the officers that may be present how coherent you are. You also now have a witness to your speaking ability and your friend can testify to your advantage. Calling your voicemail is also a good use of a phone call as you can use the voicemail you left in court to prove to the judge that you were in fact coherent and able to speak without slurring your words.
Have you been charged with a DUI? Get a Charleston DUI Lawyer that can help!
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