What to Do If Charged With a DUI
Around 37 people in the U.S. die every day because of drunk-driving accidents on the roadway. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, that works out to one person every 39 minutes. And around 31% of all traffic crash deaths in the country involve drunk motorists.
Another organization reports that DUI offenses account for around one in 10 of all arrests across the country. And approximately one in five drivers last year said they drove drunk at least one time — while 10% said they did it frequently.
If you’re dealing with a DUI charge, what should you do? By law, you must provide proof of your identity if a police officer asks. Here’s a look at other things you should do.
- Keep Quiet
If arrested for a DUI offense, keep your mouth closed. Yes, you do need to verify your identity if asked. That’s a legal obligation. But after doing so, exercise your right to remain silent.
Inform the police officer you want to retain an attorney before answering more questions. If you start talking and disclosing information, you could incriminate yourself. Hire a criminal defense lawyer socializing in DUI cases for guidance and representation.
If an officer suspects you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they can request that you do a field sobriety test or breathalyzer test. You can politely decline until you retain a lawyer.
- Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney
After getting arrested for a DUI, your first phone call should be to a lawyer. You might wish to call family or friends — and that’s understandable. But it’s more critical to seek legal counsel. You’ll be in good hands when you find a reputable service provider experienced in DUI cases.
- Be Cooperative
An arrest is a stressful ordeal for anyone. Who likes pulling over and parking their vehicle after seeing a police car with lights flashing and sirens blaring? But even if you face this scenario, there’s no reason to worsen the situation.
One tactic some people use is to refuse to identify themselves. They wrongly believe their right to remain silent is absolute. If a police officer asks for your driver’s license to identify you, failing to comply is a crime. Things will go better if you cooperate to the fullest extent possible.
- Keep a Record of Everything Occurring Post-Arrest
Keep a detailed record of everything that happens after your arrest. You’ll want to note everything you told the police, what the police said to you, the reasoning the police gave for pulling you over, if you were asked or ordered to exit your vehicle, and if you were asked or compelled to do a field sobriety test or breathalyzer test.
You can share this information with your criminal defense lawyer, who can use the information to build your case. Your lawyer will assess whether the authorities violated your rights or made procedural mistakes that can help strengthen your case.
- Identify Possible Witnesses
It’s also a good idea to identify possible witnesses. If your DUI arrest came after a night out with friends or a dinner party with family, you might be able to enlist people to testify on your behalf. They can confirm whether or not you drank alcohol at the event or drove while intoxicated.
No one wants to face arrest scenarios. But if you ever face a DUI charge, keep these recommendations on what to do in mind. You need to know what to do and how to react.
Your best bet is to say as little as possible when confronted by the police until you have a lawyer to advise you. Once you’ve retained legal counsel, your lawyer can explain your options.