What to do if you a Pulled Over for a DUI?

Being pulled over by an officer causes anxiety in almost everyone. If you have been drinking, even if you don’t think you are drunk, it is important for you to know what to do if the officer chooses to investigate you for DUI.

1. Be polite to the officer, if you argue they are more likely to investigate further and be irritated.
2. Politely decline to answer any of the officer’s questions. The officer will often question, where you are going, where you came from, and what/how much you had to drink that night, you do not have to answer any of the officer’s question, just politely decline to say anything.
3. Do provide you license, registration, and insurance when asked. The officer has a right to see this information during a traffic stop.
4. If the officer wants to do the field sobriety tests, (which officer’s often will say is “will you do some tests to make sure you are safe to drive”) politely decline. You have the right to refuse because the tests can and will be used against you in court.
5. Do not take the road side breath tests, this is an optional test that is not admissible to court so there is no good reason to take the test.
6. If you are arrested for DUI and taken to do an evidentiary breath test, take the breath test at the station. The official breath test can be used against you in court, but if you refuse the test you face much higher penalties in court. You also have the right to speak to an attorney prior to the breath test, call a DUI defense attorney with Johnson Litigation, PLLC at 509-535-2997.
7. Part of the DUI arrest is an interview, you also have the right to refuse to answer any of these questions, politely tell the officer you decline to say anything.

If you are arrested and charged with DUI it is important to hire a skilled DUI defense attorney. To schedule a free consult to discuss your DUI case contact Johnson Litigation, PLLC today.

Warning: This information is not intended to constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon in lieu of consultation with appropriate legal advisers in your own jurisdiction. It may not be current as laws are subject to change.