Stopped by Police - Now What to Do?
You were out for the night with some friends and on the way home got stopped and found yourself slapped with a DUI charge.
You cooperated with the police officers and didn't give them any grieve; this is all ready a good point in your favour.
If you were not stopped at a routine traffic check then the police officer had reasonable suspicion to pull you over.
You may have been driving erratically or too slowly, frequent braking and improper use of turn signals is good reason to be pulled over.
Crossing the centre line and veering into the opposite lane are all reasons to be stopped.
The police officer will ask you for your licence and registration.
Failing to provide this can result in further charges being laid against you.
If you smell of alcohol or have slurred speech or blood shot eyes you will be asked to step out of the vehicle for further testing.
Remember you do have the right to refuse testing, but if you have nothing to hide then you will only make yourself look more suspicious.
At first you will be asked to perform a certain number of tests or exercises, from walking a straight line to touching your nose.
Many sober people can fail these tests due to being nervous to wearing the wrong type of shoes or the pavement being cracked and uneven.
If you do fail, you are only failing by observance at this point.
If you are asked to provide a breath sample it is best to comply and give the sample.
Again cooperation is a key factor here.
Depending on which state you live in you do not have to perform any of these tests and can ask for a lawyer or attorney to be present.
You are entitled to be represented by a lawyer and if you cannot afford one, the court will appoint one for you.
If at all possible it is in your best interests to hire a defence attorney to represent you.
This improves your chances at a successful resolution and of course if the attorney wins the case, this will earn him future clients and your testimonial.
If you do find yourself arrested and charged you may face several consequences.
If convicted you can potentially face jail time, forced alcohol education classes, probation and, even the loss of your driver's licence.
You cooperated with the police officers and didn't give them any grieve; this is all ready a good point in your favour.
If you were not stopped at a routine traffic check then the police officer had reasonable suspicion to pull you over.
You may have been driving erratically or too slowly, frequent braking and improper use of turn signals is good reason to be pulled over.
Crossing the centre line and veering into the opposite lane are all reasons to be stopped.
The police officer will ask you for your licence and registration.
Failing to provide this can result in further charges being laid against you.
If you smell of alcohol or have slurred speech or blood shot eyes you will be asked to step out of the vehicle for further testing.
Remember you do have the right to refuse testing, but if you have nothing to hide then you will only make yourself look more suspicious.
At first you will be asked to perform a certain number of tests or exercises, from walking a straight line to touching your nose.
Many sober people can fail these tests due to being nervous to wearing the wrong type of shoes or the pavement being cracked and uneven.
If you do fail, you are only failing by observance at this point.
If you are asked to provide a breath sample it is best to comply and give the sample.
Again cooperation is a key factor here.
Depending on which state you live in you do not have to perform any of these tests and can ask for a lawyer or attorney to be present.
You are entitled to be represented by a lawyer and if you cannot afford one, the court will appoint one for you.
If at all possible it is in your best interests to hire a defence attorney to represent you.
This improves your chances at a successful resolution and of course if the attorney wins the case, this will earn him future clients and your testimonial.
If you do find yourself arrested and charged you may face several consequences.
If convicted you can potentially face jail time, forced alcohol education classes, probation and, even the loss of your driver's licence.
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