Remain Polite When Facing DUI Charge
Any cursing, running, using force against the officer or disobeying orders can exacerbate the situation and may count against the driver.
Sometimes California drivers operate their vehicles after having a few drinks, thinking that their blood-alcohol levels are below the allowed level of .08 percent for adult drivers. The consequences could be severe if they are pulled over and arrested — even without a conviction. The manner in which a driver handles such a traffic stop may play a role in the severity of any DUI charge that is filed.
Pulling over immediately upon an officer’s command may be a good start. The driver should then switch off the engine and put both his or her hands on the steering wheel. The driver must then remain in the car until the officer asks him or her to get out.
A driver has the right to remain silent. It may be best to be polite and follow the orders of the officer. Answering basic questions could be okay, but providing information that may be self-incriminating is unnecessary. The driver need not tell officers how many drinks he or she consumed. Nor is it necessary for the driver to explain where he or she came from and who else was there.
Even if the driver remains polite, a DUI charge may be filed. If this is a driver’s first DUI arrest, it will likely be a daunting experience, but the best step is to ask permission to call a criminal defense attorney. An experienced California DUI defense attorney will explain the proceedings that will follow and can be present during questioning to ensure the driver’s legal rights are protected. If the case goes to court, the lawyer can navigate the proceedings and work toward achieving the best possible outcome.
Source: Huffington Post, “5 Things to Do If You Are Pulled Over For a DUI“, Victoria Yore, Accessed on May 19, 2017