What To Do If You’re Pulled Over For Suspected DUI

Hopefully, the tips outlined in this article will never apply to you, but if you find yourself searching the Internet for DUI lawyer Clearwater listings, you may already be in a legal predicament. For those who have not been pulled over for suspected DUI, following the tips below can drastically improve your chances of coming out of the situation with the best possible outcome. Read below as we share what to expect if you are flagged for suspected DUI, and learn what you can do to improve your chances of getting let go without penalty.

If you see those flashing lights from a patrol car and you know you are being pulled over under suspicion of driving under the influence:

• The officer will do the obvious first thing that always happens during a traffic stop: ask for license, registration and proof of insurance. Make sure you always have these handy. You don’t want to be fumbling around your vehicle, looking for these important documents and seeming flustered. Keep them in your glove box just in case.

• Next, the officer may return to his squad car to run your plates and to make sure that your license, registration and insurance information are valid. Make sure to sit in the car; never exit the vehicle unless you are directed to do so. Too many professionals in the DUI lawyer Clearwater ranks can tell horror stories about additional charges levied to drivers who did not follow an officer’s instructions. With that in mind, never argue with the officer, even if you are completely sober. That takes us to the next step in the process.

• Naturally, the officer will likely ask if you have been drinking. Don’t tell him or her ‘no’ if you have likely imbibed too much. Instead, tell the offer that you would like to invoke your Fifth Amendment rights. If you had a beer a few hours ago and/or there is no chance that you are driving while impaired, go ahead and tell the officer that you have not been drinking.

• Turn down the breathalyzer part of the DUI suspicion process, and you will automatically have your license suspended. Even if you blow above the legal limit, however, these results are often challenged in court. The breathalyzers have a poor reputation for their accuracy. You may also be asked to do a field sobriety test outside your vehicle. This can also be challenged in court, and you should let the officer know if you have a medical condition such as vertigo that could skew the results.

If you are pulled over under suspicion of driving under the influence, make sure that you contact a trusted DUI lawyer in Clearwater soon afterward. He or she will help you decide how to move forward and will share the legal process with you. It will be very comforting to know that you have a professional on your side who is going to do everything they can to keep you from getting the maximum penalty.