This is a scenario that everyone would never want to be in, however it is something an DUI attorney can assist with. When you are stopped at the roadway side, waiting for the police into the car and pondering if you’ve drunk too much. Granted there are times when a person knows that they’re over the limit and they shouldn’t have been driving however, for other occasions it is impossible to tell the amount of alcohol that was consumed. The correct answer is no, and in the event that anyone is having anything to drink there should be a designated driver , or a cab. But in the real world however, this may not always be the case and then you’re back in the driver’s seat trying to determine if you are over the limit for legal. Well before Officer Friendly makes it to your window, there are a range of issues that an DUI attorney will want you to consider.
Avoid Field Sobriety Tests
Anything you say could make your case stronger in the courtroom. There is a reason they say “anything you say could use against you” but not “anything you say could be used to help you” No one has or will ever talk about anything to police that will make their situation any better. It is best to stick to simple questions such as names and providing your dui lawyer orange county driver’s licence and registration information and to stay silent to the other questions. Don’t answer the question about whether you have had a drink and the amount you’ve had to drink. Also when asked to backwards count or take the alphabet for example or walk a straight line do not perform it. These tests are designed to prove that you are and not your level of function. These tests are performed since they are difficult to complete sober, and extremely difficult to execute when drunk. Your DUI attorney will know how the outcomes of the tests are based on the impressions of the officer. So, instead of politely declining, ask instead that, if in custody, you be taken to the police station or hospital for a blood test to determine your alcohol level.
Comply To The Breathalyzer
While it is certain that field sobriety tests aren’t the most accurate test for intoxication, blood alcohol levels are an established legal benchmark. There are serious consequences for failing the test but there are far more severe consequences for refusing. A good DUI attorney will be in a position to reduce the effects of a test that shows their client was over the legal limit, but it’s nearly impossible to counter mandatory punishments for refusing to take the test.
Pick Up The Phone
Get in touch with your DUI attorney the first opportunity you have. They are highly knowledgeable and skilled in defending the various cases. Drunk driving can be a very serious mistake and it shouldn’t be the kind of incident you’d prefer to find yourself facing, but it can be more serious if you do not have good representation. As always, make sure to consult a professional in your local area to see what advice is best for you as the laws differ from place to place.