Driving under the influence of alcohol is a risk on many fronts. For example, it impairs your ability to operate a motor vehicle, thus increasing the risk of an accident. Furthermore, if a police officer has reason to believe you’re under the influence, they won’t hesitate to pull you over.
A lot can go wrong during a DUI traffic stop, including but not limited to the following:
- Saying too much: The more you talk, the greater chance there is of saying something that makes you look guilty. For instance, you could admit to “only having a drink or two” which gives the officer all they need to dig deeper.
- Failing a field sobriety test: If the officer asks you to take a field sobriety test, there’s always a chance you could fail it. This holds true even if you’re 100% sober.
- They find something else wrong: Maybe they find that you have drugs in your vehicle. Or maybe they realize that you don’t have insurance. All of these things can cause you trouble, even if you’re not put under arrest for driving under the influence.
- Resisting arrest: Depending on the circumstances, you may be overly upset and angry about the officer putting you under arrest. And if you’re under the influence, there’s a chance that you could become combative. If you resist arrest, it puts your health and well-being at risk, while likely leading to additional criminal charges.
If the worst happens and you’re put under arrests for driving under the influence, don’t say anything to the officer or fight back. Doing so will only complicate the situation, both now and when your day in court arrives.
Once you’re released from police custody, revisit the details of the stop to determine if the officer acted in the appropriate manner. You may soon begin to realize that they made mistakes that you can use in your favor to defend yourself.
Remember, DUI charges don’t always result in a DUI conviction. With the right defense strategy in place, you’re able to protect your legal rights with the hope of escaping severe consequences.
