If a police officer has cause to believe that you’re driving under the influence, they won’t hesitate to pull you over. Should that happen, your stomach will tie up in knots and you’ll begin to sweat.
On the plus side, when you know how to approach this type of traffic stop, it’s much easier to do so in a confident manner. There are many mistakes you could easily make when stopped for suspicion of DUI. Avoid these three:
- Admitting to drinking alcohol: For example, you may say to the officer “I only had two drinks a few hours ago.” That doesn’t mean anything to them. It simply tells the officer that you do have alcohol in your system.
- Answering questions you don’t understand: You have the legal right to remain silent, so don’t be afraid to decline any questions that you don’t understand or simply don’t want to answer. The officer can’t force you into doing so.
- Resisting arrest: Should the officer have cause to make an arrest, such as a failed breathalyzer or field sobriety test, it’s not the time to put up a fight. Not only can this cause injury, but it’s likely to result in additional criminal charges.
With so much racing through your mind, it’s easy to make one or more of these mistakes. Unfortunately, if you do so, it’ll increase the likelihood of an arrest, DUI charges and the potential for far-reaching consequences.
If you find yourself facing DUI charges, settle on a defense strategy that can protect your legal rights and help prevent a conviction.
