Pulled Over for a DUI? Find Out What To Do.
Being pulled over for a DUI can be a daunting experience, but your actions during this crucial moment can significantly impact the legal proceedings that follow. It’s essential to know what to do to protect your rights and what your potential defenses are. Here are the steps you should take if you find yourself pulled over for a DUI:
- Pull Over Safely: When you see those flashing lights behind you, find a safe spot to pull over as soon as possible. Avoid erratic driving, abrupt stops, or choosing an unsafe location, as these observations will be noted in the police report, potentially weakening your defense. Stay seated in your vehicle with your hands visible on the steering wheel.
- Be Polite and Cooperative: Stay calm and respectful when interacting with the police officer to avoid escalated charges and ensure your safety during the encounter. Avoid making any sudden or suspicious movements. After providing the necessary details like name and basic information, exercise your right to remain silent to avoid making self-incriminating statements that can be used against you in court. If the officer asks you to get out of the vehicle, you should quietly do so.
- Refuse Field Sobriety and Roadside Tests: You are not legally obligated to perform field sobriety or roadside breathalyzer tests. Declining these tests can prevent law enforcement from using the results against you in court. If the police officer feels you are impaired, they will arrest you regardless of whether you have taken a field sobriety test or not.
- If You Are Arrested, Comply Peacefully: Do not resist, try to flee, or become combative. This could result in escalated charges.
- Ask for Your Attorney Once At the Police Station: Once you have been taken to the police station, ask to talk to an attorney from Rideout Law Group. Although you cannot unduly delay the investigation, you do have the right to speak with an attorney prior to submitting to a test or being subjected to questioning.
- Take the Chemical Test at the Police Station: If you are arrested for DUI, you will typically be asked to take a chemical test at the police station, such as a blood alcohol test or breathalyzer. Refusing these tests once at the station could result in additional serious charges, including a one-year license suspension which can be longer if you have previous DUI convictions or are under the age of 21.
- Take Notes: After your DUI stop and arrest, make detailed notes about the entire incident while the details are fresh in your memory. This can be invaluable in building your defense later on.
- Retain a Lawyer: Perhaps one of the most critical steps is to hire a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate the legal process, evaluate the evidence against you, and work towards achieving the best possible outcome in your DUI case.
RIDEOUT LAW GROUP
With offices in Lake Havasu City and Scottsdale, our firm serves the entire state of Arizona, with a particular focus on criminal defense, family law, and juvenile cases.
Our goal is for the best outcome for your criminal case, which can include:
- charges that are reduced or dropped.
- top experts reviewing your case.
- aggressive negotiations with the prosecution for plea bargains.
- fines or probation in lieu of jail time.
At Rideout Law Group, our attorneys are able to expertly examine the evidence in your case to provide a strong strategy for argument that leads to an outcome that is most favorable to you. We have experience in all types of criminal cases for both adults and juveniles, with positive outcomes both in plea negotiations as well as jury trial settings.
Call us today for a free consultation at 480-584-3328.