What to Do If You’re Pulled Over & Arrested for Drunk Driving

Getting pulled over by law enforcement can be a frightening and nerve-wracking
experience, especially if you had a few alcoholic beverages before driving.
Whether you consumed alcohol earlier in the night or a couple of minutes
prior to getting behind the wheel, there is a possibility of getting arrested
for drunk driving. However, there are certain steps you can take to avoid
incriminating yourself and making matters much worse.

The following are the steps you should take after getting pulled over for
drunk driving:

1. Pull over in a safe place. As soon as law enforcement pulls you over for drunk driving, they begin
   making observations to include in the police report. This documentation
   can have a substantial impact on the outcome of both your DMV hearing
   and criminal trial. One of the first observations an officer records is
   how you pull over.
2. Be polite. If you are rude or hostile, the police officer is more likely to try to
   get you arrested and convicted, including writing an incriminating report.
   If you treat the officer with respect, you are less likely to be arrested.
3. Do not answer any possible incriminating questions, and don’t lie. The only thing you need to give to the officer is your name, license,
   and registration. If law enforcement asks you if you’ve been drinking
   or how much – and you’re worried that you might incriminate
   yourself – just say, “I’m sorry, officer, but I’ve
   been advised not to answer any questions.” If you have had only
   one or two drinks hours ago, just say so. Lying, on the other hand, can
   be used against you in court.
4. Refuse a field sobriety test and a hand-held breathalyzer. You are under no legal obligation to perform a field sobriety test, which
   law enforcement often uses to gather evidence against you – since
   these tests are often subjective and not reliable indicators of intoxication.
   Roadside breathalyzers are notoriously unreliable – with countless
   ways to manipulate the results.
5. Submit to chemical testing at the police station. As a licensed driver, you have an obligation to take a test at the police
   station. You can decide between a blood, breath, or urine test. Many DUI
   lawyers advise their clients to take the breath test since they’re
   more unreliable, which makes them more vulnerable to attack in the courtroom.
6. As soon as you are released, write down everything you can recall about
   the night. The more notes you take about your arrest, the easier it will be for your
   lawyer to fight the charges against you. Answer the following questions
   when writing your notes:
   1. What were you doing before you drove and where?
   2. How much did you drink?
      
      How long after you were arrested?
   3. How did the arresting officer behave?
   4. What did you say to the officer?
   5. Where were you pulled over?
   6. Did the arresting officer read your Miranda rights?
   7. How long had it been since you drank once you took the chemical test?
7. Call your attorney. If you were arrested and charged with a
   DUI, it is imperative to obtain the legal services of a skilled and experienced
   DUI attorney. You must find a qualified lawyer who has a comprehensive
   understanding of Michigan DUI law.

Contact our Okemos criminal defense attorney at
White Law PLLC for more information today.