Criminal Defense Attorney | Stopped for a DUI? Here’s How to Proceed
Getting pulled over by a police officer can be terrifying, especially for a suspected DUI. The way that you handle yourself at this moment will be critical. By following the steps below, you can help protect yourself and your rights.
6 Steps to Follow After Being Pulled Over
Step 1: Find a safe place to pull over.
Remember that you are already on the police officer’s radar as soon as you see the flashing lights behind you. In their mind, they have witnessed behavior that shows you are driving impaired. Do not panic. Carefully pull over to a safe place.
Step 2: Be polite at all times.
The tone of your words is almost as important as what you say. If you come off hostile, rude, or unreasonable, you are giving the officer more reason to arrest you. Be polite, respectful, and comply with their requests.
Step 3: Answer carefully.
After pulling over, you must give the officer your name, license, registration, and insurance information, but you do not need to answer any incriminating questions. For example, they may ask about how much you’ve had to drink or if you have been drinking that day. Do not downplay how much you’ve had to drink or admit to drinking alcohol because the conversation is being recorded and it can be used against you in court. Instead, tell the officer that you’d rather not answer any questions or inform them that you’ve been advised not to answer any questions.
Step 4: Do not take a field sobriety test.
The officer will likely ask you to take a field sobriety test, but you are not legally required to submit. These tests are completely voluntary. These tests are designed to provide police with more evidence to be used against you, and even sober people are known to fail them. Keep in mind that declining the test may antagonize the officer and result in a driver’s license suspension, and it’s critical that you request a lawyer.
Step 5: Decline the breath test.
When pulled over for DUI, politely decline a breath test. These are notoriously unreliable and can skew results. However, if you are taken into custody, you will be required to take a breath, blood, or urine test in which you should not refuse a post-arrest test.
Step 6: Contact an attorney.
Remember, the more you say, the more likely you are to incriminate yourself. It’s crucial that you try to say as little as possible, understand your rights, and speak to a DUI lawyer as soon as possible. You need a qualified attorney who will fight for your rights and guide you through the legal process.
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