When you see that law enforcement is pulling you over, you may feel intimidated and unsure of what to do next. You know that it is in your interests to cooperate and do what they ask of you, but do you know what to say and how to act? It is helpful to understand your rights and what you should do in the event of a DUI traffic stop. This could be important if an officer ever pulls you over for suspected intoxicated operation of a vehicle.
What you say and do during a DUI traffic stop matters. When you are aware of your rights and you understand how to protect your interests, you will be in a better position from which you can defend your interests and confront any criminal charges you are facing. You have the right to protect yourself at every step during a suspected DUI traffic stop.
What you say and do matters
How you act during a suspected DUI traffic stop is important, and it can have a major impact on what law enforcement does and the case against you. The following can help you know what to expect in case of a DUI traffic stop and how you can protect your interests when interacting with law enforcement:
- Keep important documents in an easily accessible location in your vehicle so that you can present them to the officer during a traffic stop.
- If you see lights flashing in your rearview mirror, find a safe place to pull over as soon as possible.
- When talking with police, be courteous, but do not admit to anything. Keep in mind that you do not have to answer any questions.
- The police may ask you to submit to field sobriety tests, but you do not have to submit to these tests.
- They may also ask you to submit to a chemical test, which you can refuse. However, refusal does come with certain consequences.
Knowing your rights can be helpful if the police stop you for suspected DUI. You will also be in a better position to know if you experienced a violation of your rights during a traffic stop. You have the right to defend your interests and fight back against any of the charges you are facing.
