What a DUI Lawyer Could Have Told You
If you get arrested for driving under the influence, by the time your DUI lawyer arrives, your case has likely already been made one way or the other. While most of these types of cases aren't necessarily as cut and dry as you might think, they typically hinge on a handful of related events.
Any DUI lawyer has seen the same type of cases a number of times,
but what usually changes on a case-by-case basis is the behavior of the accused. Because most of these cases are made or broken at the scene, how you handle the series of events after being pulled over can dictate how your case plays out.
As a good DUI lawyer should and likely would tell you, if you were clearly intoxicated, were proven to be so and possibly even inflicted damage or injury as a result, there is little to no hope that you will avoid being punished - nor should you. But in borderline cases where there may be a gray area in determining whether you were truly driving under the influence or not, how you handle yourself is vitally important.
By the time a police officer has turned his blue lights on to pull you over, you know whether or not there is a chance your sobriety will be tested by that officer. If you had nothing to drink then there is no need to worry. If you have had some and feel unimpaired to drive but are unsure if you are legally over the limit, it is important to know how to carry yourself before you even need to call a DUI lawyer.
Of course, it all starts with how you were driving. If you made a sudden move or were driving erratically, make sure you pull over to the side of the road smoothly and without incident. Compounding an existing problem by furthering your erratic operation is never going to help.
From there, officers are trained to look for signs of impairment in things like your behavior, how you are dressed and what you may look or smell like. Make sure to make eye contact with the officer, answer questions clearly and concisely and be efficient in producing and handing over your license and registration. Also remove any hats or sunglasses and clean up your appearance as best you can.
Don't say anything you don't need to either. Even when sober, you may feel the need to defend yourself or speak up if you feel like you're being questioned. It's best just to answer questions that are asked and otherwise remain quiet.
If you are asked to take a field sobriety test, make sure you let the officer know of any individual circumstances that may keep you from passing it, such as a physical injury or diminished hearing or vision.
If you do find yourself arrested, make sure to call a DUI lawyer immediately. The sooner you can obtain legal representation, the better your chances of getting a fair shake in court.
