Drunk driving remains a serious issue throughout the world. Statistics show that nearly 300,000 people drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, but fewer than 4,000 of these individuals are arrested for this crime. If you drive drunk, you’re taking huge risks that could quickly catch up with you. Considering that, it’s important to know what to do if you find yourself in this situation. With that in mind, here are five steps to take after being pulled over by the police under suspicion of DUI.
- Pull Over Right Away
It’s understandable that panic that sets in when you see a cop car’s flashing lights behind you. During this moment, accept what’s happening and pull your vehicle over. You’ll want to pull over at the safest place possible. However, you don’t want to take too long to pull over. A police officer could misinterpret this as you trying to get away. - Don’t Get Angry
Many emotions run through your head while waiting for a police officer to approach your vehicle. With that in mind, make sure that you avoid any kind of anger towards the police officer. This could turn a stressful situation into something much worse. If you’re acting angry towards a police officer, this could lead to facing additional charges. In addition, make sure that you avoid making any sudden movements. Police officers are trained to react quickly to potentially dangerous situations. There’s no way for a police officer to know if you’re reaching for your insurance forms or a weapon. Therefore, have your identification ready when the officer arrives at your vehicle. - Say No to Field Sobriety Tests
As strange as it might seem, you have the right to refuse any kind of field sobriety test. You’ve probably seen people perform these tests on reality television shows. What you might not have noticed is that the officer, not accurate equipment, chooses whether you pass or fail these tests. This kind of subjectivity isn’t something you want to place your future on. You’re not going to receive additional charges for refusing this test. Instead, you’ll likely receive a chemical test at a police station after you’re booked in. - Document Everything After Leaving the Police Station
Considering DUI laws across the nation, you’re likely to spend the night the jail after being pulled over. While there’s not much you can do to avoid this, you can take an accurate report of everything that happened once you’re home. You should take note of everything that took place during your stop. It’s always better to document too much information rather than leaving out important details. - Contact a DUI Attorney
The next step you should take is to contact a DUI lawyer. Receiving a DUI conviction can cost upwards of $20,000. Considering that, it’s wise to contact a DUI law firm. This type of attorney will do everything possible to avoid you receiving a DUI conviction.
In conclusion, there are several important steps to take after being pulled over and subsequently arrested for a DUI. You need to know that the Sixth Amendment provides criminal defendants with the right to legal representation. Therefore, it’s wise to contact a DUI attorney after being released from jail. For many people, DUI laws are quite complicated. A DUI attorney will help you navigate this complicated and stressful situation. If you or someone you know is facing a DUI conviction, contact a lawyer right away.
