5 IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO IF YOU ARE PULLED OVER FOR DWI
Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of road accidents in the United States. Figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that in 2018, there were 10,511 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the country, 240 of which occurred in Missouri.
To prevent these deadly incidents, police officers investigate vehicles that show signs of drunk driving. They may stop swerving or tailgating cars to probe whether the driver is under the influence of alcohol.
RESPOND CALMLY AND WITH CONFIDENCE
Law enforcement will be reporting all their observations of your actions. One of the first observations is how you are driving and how you respond to being pulled over. Law enforcement will then determine how you respond to divided attention tests.
Slow down and move to the side of the road as safely as possible and properly park. Make sure that you place your vehicle in park. Do not make any sudden movement or jump out of the car. Keep your hands on the wheel until the officer approaches you and asks you to show your driver’s license, registration and insurance card.
When the officer asks you to produce your license, registration, and insurance, they will also begin asking you questions. The actual questions aren’t really of importance. The purpose of the questions is to see how if you can respond while also performing the task of retrieving the requested documents.
Remember that the police report will significantly affect your chances of facing jail time or having your driver’s license suspended or revoked, so be polite and act as calm as you can.
DON’T ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT MAY INCRIMINATE YOU
You can invoke your Fifth Amendment right, which means you can refrain from answering questions the police officer asks you. If you are asked if you have been drinking, you can simply tell the police officer you are claiming your Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate yourself.
Being candid with the police officer by admitting you had a few beers at a party will not likely help you. Police officers seldom believe that response. You can politely decline to answer any question concerning drinking and where you were.
REFUSE TO TAKE THE FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS
The field sobriety tests are designed to give the officer evidence of your intoxication. DO NOT DO THEM. You don’t have to…so refuse. If you take these tests, law enforcement will be putting every wrong step, loss of balance, or failure to obey the instructions into their report, which will be used against you to obtain a conviction.
REFUSE TO TAKE THE PORTABLE BREATH TEST
If you are asked to submit to a portable breath test, refuse it. The portable breath test is designed to determine alcohol. It is not a calibrated instrument; however, it will give law enforcement a number that represents BAC. Law enforcement will you use this test as probable cause to arrest you for DWI.
REQUEST AN ATTORNEY
Remember that anything you say can be used against you in court, so it helps if you ask for legal representation when speaking with the police. Law enforcement must provide you a certain amount of time to attempt to speak with your attorney. Use this time to your advantage.
CONTACT A MISSOURI DWI ATTORNEY TODAY
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