You know you are not supposed to drink and drive. Maybe you made a dumb mistake or underestimated the effects a small quantity of alcohol had on you. Whatever the reason, what do you do when the police pull you over on suspicion of drunk driving?
Knowing your rights can help prevent you from both incriminating yourself and causing conflict with the police. Remember these do’s and don’ts for a DUI stop.
- Do be respectful to the police. Pull over right away, be cooperative and show respect in your language and demeanor.
- Do not answer any questions besides your name and driver information. Politely decline to give other answers until you have a lawyer present.
- Do not take a field sobriety test or preliminary breath test. These are not requirements and are often not accurate anyway.
- Do call an attorney immediately to guide you on what to do and say. An attorney can build your case and fight for reduced or dismissed charges.
When it comes to submitting to a test of your blood alcohol concentration upon arrest, weigh the pros and cons. Kentucky has an implied consent law, meaning that if you do not comply with taking a test, then you will automatically lose your driver’s license for some time depending on what number DUI offense it is. This can affect your ability to get to work. You will also face additional penalties if you receive a conviction. On the other hand, the prosecutor’s job becomes harder without the concrete evidence of your BAC. If you choose to comply, you can have another certified health care provider perform a second test to ensure accuracy.
A DUI stop can be frightening and overwhelming, but it is not the end of the world. If you make the right moves and hire the right attorney, you may avoid the long-term consequences of a DUI conviction.