Being suspected of a crime like drunk driving can be unnerving, if not downright scary and stressful. If you know what to do as you interact with authorities, however, you can effectively protect your rights and interests. You may even be able to position a future defense case for success if you are ultimately charged with a DUI (or another offense).

If you are pulled over by a traffic officer for suspicion of drunk driving:

Stop Your Vehicle ASAP

Don’t try to speed off and elude officers. This can result in additional criminal charges being filed against you later.

Be Polite and Hand Over the Necessary Documents

Being rude, abrasive or surly will not help you during a DUI stop. It may even be used against you later to try to establish impairment. So, try to remain polite and responsive. And, have your driver’s license, proof of insurance and registration paperwork ready to hand over to the officer to promptly move things along.

Never Admit to Consuming Alcohol and be Careful about What Else You Say

Admitting to having had alcohol before driving will give the officer more potential evidence against you. So, don’t offer up this information. Similarly, be cautious about any other information or answers you provide. If you may have trouble speaking for any reason, invoking your right to remain silent can be wise (as, again, it can prevent an officer from trying to allege that you were slurring, etc.).

Know You Have the Right to Refuse Field Sobriety Testing

And you will not be automatically penalized for invoking this right. So, if you may not pass field sobriety tests for whatever reason, do not take them. Again, the point here is to not offer up more possible evidence impairment that can be used against you later.

Know that BAC Test Refusals will Result in Automatic Penalties

Unlike refusals for field sobriety tests, refusals for BAC tests will result in an automatic driver’s license suspension (because these refusals constitute a violation of Georgia’s implied consent law). So, be aware that, if you do not agree to take a breath or blood test in a DUI stop, there will be automatic penalties to deal with even if your DUI charges are later dropped (or you are acquitted of the charges).

If a DUI stop ends in a DUI arrest:

If you have been charged with a DUI and you need answers and the strongest possible defense, contact The Law Office of Jason Clark P.C. by calling 912.264.1999 or use the request form.

From offices based in Brunswick, The Law Office of Jason Clark P.C. provides superior DUI defense representation to clients throughout Brunswick, Darien, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Woodbine, Kingsland, St. Mary’s, Glynn County, McIntosh County, Camden County, and the state of Georgia.