2 DUI Myths You Need To Know
If you are pulled over because you are suspected of driving under the influence, the things you do can either hurt or help the case that the police will be making against you. Unfortunately, people make mistakes that they end up paying for later when their case is brought to trial. There are some myths about DUIs that you need to know more about so that you do not wrongfully incriminate yourself for something you did not do.
Myth 1: You Must Cooperate With Everything The Officer Asks of You
Many drivers fear the possibility of getting a DUI, which leads them to agree to everything the officer instructs them to do. They tend to answer any questions that the officer asks, and try to cooperate as much as possible in hopes that the officer will let them go.
The truth is that police officers have been trained about how to ask the right questions to strengthen the case that they are forming against you. Any behavior that they observe will be documented and used against you for the purpose of getting a conviction.
Always remember that everything you tell the officer could be used during your court case. While it's not bad to cooperate, it's important to avoid anything that could potentially wrongfully incriminate you.
For instance, if an officer asks if you have been recently drinking, it's possible that you have and are below the legal limit for safe driving. However, admitting that you have been drinking could be used in court against you. You have the option to be silent, and let the officer make their own determinations about if you have been drinking.
Myth 2: It Is Mandatory To Take Sobriety Tests
Another wrong assumption is that you must take a roadside field sobriety test if the officer requests that you do so. The problem with these tests is that they're subjective. You could be walking in a straight line in the dark, accidentally miss your step, and suddenly you are accused of driving under the influence.
If your state allows it, know that you can decline the field sobriety test and have chemical testing done instead. These tests provide exact results about blood alcohol content levels, and if you're below the legal limits, the test will prove it.
When you are wrongfully accused of a DUI, you'll need all the help you can get. Contact a DUI defense lawyer such as R. Patrick McPherson Attorney At Law who specializes in fighting these kinds of DUI charges.
Share
