One of my favorite characters in cinema is Mr. Wolf from Pulp Fiction. Even when he is stuck in less than ideal circumstances, he refuses to panic. When you are stopped for DUI, you must realize you also must refuse to panic. If you lose control, you will be your absolute worst enemy, not the officer or the prosecutor.
Remember, odds are you cannot talk yourself out of a DUI. If an officer stops you for suspicion of a DUI, you most likely will be given a ticket, arrested, go to jail and your vehicle may be impounded. It does not matter how suave, beautiful or intelligent you are. An officer would rather err on the side of caution than risk someone else's harm because he let you drive away.
Here are a few things you should do to improve your chances of avoiding a DUI conviction:
- Be polite and cordial, but keep your mouth shut. You don't have to tell the officer how many drinks you had, when you had them, and where you had them. Remember, you will probably be arrested, regardless of what you say. He is only searching for more evidence against you. Simply tell the officer you want a lawyer and wish to remain silent. Do not lie or embellish. That will get you in more trouble.
- If the officer asks you to get out of the car, get out; however, if the officer asks you to take a field sobriety tests, politely refuse. The officer already thinks you are driving under the influence, so the field sobriety test will only be used against you. He will probably arrest you anyways.
- If the officer asks you to take the breathalyzer test, you should politely decline to blow. You are already going to jail, so there is no reason for you to take the test. Even if you have already been arrested and taken to the police station, you should still refuse to blow! You are doing the prosecutor a favor if you take the test. The cynical person says, "Well I will be suspended for 6 months if I blow, and 12 months if I don't blow." Odds are if you do not blow the suspension can be contested and/or the DUI dismissed. If I had a dollar for every person who swore he could beat the breathalyzer . . . you know the rest.
Keep these tips in mind if you get pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving. They could protect you from a DUI conviction. If you were arrested for DUI, then you should call McCall Law Offices, P.C.. I am an experienced Peoria DUI Attorney and I may be able to help you get your DUI charges dropped or reduced. Speak with me before it's too late!