Nothing will change the course of your evening like seeing flashing lights in your rearview mirror. A DUI traffic stop has the potential to change your future, and there is a lot at stake for you while you are interacting with the police. It is in your interests to know your rights in case this happens to you and what you can do to protect your future interests.
Many Kentucky drivers are unaware of their rights during a traffic stop. Should you cooperate? Should you answer questions about where you have been and whether you’ve been drinking? How soon can you get an attorney if arrested? When you know your rights and understand the scope of police authority, you will be in a better position to protect your long-term rights and interests.
Protecting yourself
During a traffic stop, it’s critical to know what to say and how to act. Some of the following could be important to if an officer ever pulls you over for suspected drunk driving:
- Police officers must have probable cause to even initiate a traffic stop. If they see a driver swerve or drive erratically, it could be grounds to pull the vehicle over.
- Providing insurance cards and vehicle registration to police is necessary, but a driver should know that anything said, no matter how seemingly minor, could be of use against him or her later.
- It is within a driver’s rights to refuse to submit to field sobriety tests. Refusal to submit to a chemical test may result in consequences, such as the loss of a license.
- An officer can look at the exterior of the vehicle and could glance in from the outside, but a driver does not have to grant permission for an officer to search his or her vehicle.
If you are facing DUI charges, it is in your interests to speak with an experienced attorney. An investigation into your case and a close look at what happened during your traffic stop may reveal that you experienced a violation of your rights.
Fight for your future
A DUI could impact your right to drive, your personal freedom and your future opportunities. You can fight back, seeking to avoid a permanent mark on your criminal record or to mitigate the potential penalties you are facing. There is significant benefit in reaching out to an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible after an arrest.
