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What To Do At A Traffic Stop

Nobody likes that sinking feeling you get when you see those flashing lights behind you, especially if you know you have just left a bar or diner party. But unfortunately you are being pulled over, and maybe for suspected DUI -so what do you do now? First up do not panic, take a deep breath, and then prominent Florida Drunk Driving Defense Attorneys suggest the following.

  • Remain calm and keep your wits about you
  • Be Polite and Respectful
  • Have your documentation ready. DUI attorneys suggest that all persons take the time to make sure before they are ever pulled over that their vehicle paper work; license, registration, insurance card - is easily accessible. Fumbling through your glove compartment is bound to make both you and the officer nervous which is not a good situation for either of you.

DUI lawyers also advise it is never a good idea to say you misplaced your wallet, or lost your license and give a fake name to a police officer, you will only get hit with worse charges later. Remember your right to remain silent - drunk driving attorneys say now is the time to exercise it. Do not cop any kind of attitude with the officer, but neither say anything more than is absolutely necessary when answering his questions. The PO is looking for you to slur your words during conversation, to use against you. A typical technique of cops is to ask, "Do you know why I pulled you over"? This is their attempt to get you to admit some guilt - to say "because I was going too fast" "I was weaving..." etc. Do not fall for it. Any DUI defense lawyer would tell you to just say "No". Whenever appropriate "No" is your best response. You do not have to answer questions like "where are you going" "where are you coming from"," why are you on the roads so late..."

Next the officer will bait you by asking have you been drinking tonight? If you say yes you are in for the full treatment; breathalyzer, field sobriety test etc. If you lie and say "no" you will likely get the full treatment anyway - and if found over the limit - it will be worse for you. Since you are likely to get the full treatment anyway, drunk driving attorneys recommend you best answer is "I'd rather not say". If the question is "do you know how much you had to drink tonight" - never say "I don't remember" this implies you are too drunk too remember - just say "I'd rather not say".

Although the officer may use every technique at his disposal to make you think that you are required to take a field sobriety test or breath test, you are not. You can refuse, although such refusal will result in your arrest for DUI. However, if you feel that is likely to be the case anyway if you had taken the tests, it is better that you do refuse, this way you will not be giving the prosecution any evidence that can be used against you. The actions you do or do not take at the time of your arrest may allow your DUI attorney to mount a better defense on your behalf.