DUI, Drug, or Alcohol Charges? Don’t Panic
Charges are formal accusations of criminal activity. A lifestyle of nightclubbing, drinking, and doing drugs can get anyone in trouble. Sometimes, it could be unexpected, while others aren’t. You can get busted by the police for drunk driving, which is a terrifying experience.
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a crime that involves driving a vehicle while on drugs or alcohol, which makes it unsafe for both the driver and others on the road.
DUI is a criminal crime with penalties like fines, fees, revoked license, and even jail time.
You may be panicking at the mention of jail time, but you don’t have to.
Knowing what to do in your state if you get indicted for a DUI charge is vital. Learn how to respond to this scenario. You can defend your legal rights with a Driving Under Influence (DUI) lawyer and get the best result for your case.
This article will discuss what you should do if you are ever in such a situation.
What to Do if Caught Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol?
A report shows that 11,654 people died due to drivers driving under the influence in the year 2020. As a result, a crime like this is no joke.
So, the best advice is to not drive after consuming alcohol or drugs. But if you ever drive after taking drugs or alcohol, ensure to pull over when the police ask you to. They can also decide to detain you for DUI; if such happens, below are things you should do.
1. Never Resist
Once the police ask you to pull over, do that at that moment. Also, no matter what happens, ensure you don’t engage in a conflict with the police officer.
You may find it hard to remain calm when pulled over in that wasted state. But it is crucial to maintain composure, respect the police officer, and follow everything they give you.
You may show less respect for authority than you would on a typical day. But defying authorities can only make things worse for you. So, pay attention to this advice because it might come in handy one day.
2. Get a DUI Attorney
The most crucial thing to do in a situation like this is to get a DUI lawyer. A skilled attorney who understands your side of the story and maintains a good relationship with the court will be your best option.
Attorneys for DUI cases can give you the best advice on how to minimise the repercussions of your actions. It is because they specialise in dealing with criminal laws, and DUI is a serious crime.
You may spend the night in a cell to get sober. When you have the right to a phone call, call a lawyer instead of your relatives. DUI lawyers have a strong track record of getting clients released on bail.
A few factors that can impact such an attempt would be the time of the arrest, how drunk you are, and how the officer feels about you. So be on your best behaviour. It’s your best chance to show that the wrongdoing is not what defines you.
Here are some questions that you can ask your drug crimes defence attorney to understand your situation better.
A. What are the defence plans they will use for your case?
Each drug or alcohol charge case is unique and has a variety of facts and situations. An expert DUI lawyer will create a defence plan that considers the details of your case and your desired course of action.
For instance, your lawyer will likely use flaws in the jury’s verdict against you by getting the court to exclude certain pieces of evidence from the discussion.
A solid defence plan may get the charges against you dropped or the penalties lowered.
B. Is it possible to lose your driver’s license?
Often state laws provide administrative driver’s licenses. But it implies that if you get arrested for DUI and do not take specific actions at once, your driver’s license will get revoked.
In most cases, you have a tiny window of time to submit an appeal or request a hearing about the suspension.
But even if you are not guilty of DUI yet, your license can get suspended for a specific time if you don’t obey.
Your DUI lawyer can get a restricted driver’s license that will allow you to drive back and forth to work or school.
C. What are the possible penalties for your case?
As lawmakers work to reduce the amount of DUI-related accidents which often result in damage or death, the penalty for a conviction has grown to be harsher in recent years. As a result, even a first-time DUI conviction carries severe effects, such as a suspended license. Also, you will pay fines, attend alcohol and drug therapy sessions or even go to jail.
3. Ensure You Admit to Nothing
Being friendly and cooperative with law enforcement officials is crucial. But giving out too much information may not be in your best interests. You must exercise caution when responding to police officers’ questions in cases like DUI.
For example, saying things like you only had a drink or took a little drug shows your guilt rather than your innocence. You must only give the police your name, address, ID number, and nothing else.
Without an attorney present, avoid giving answers to inquiries they can use to incriminate you. All you need to do is to say nothing and also don’t lie.
4. Pull Over at a Safe Place
Pulling over when the police ask you to be the first sign of respect. When the police decide to stop you for DUI, it may indicate that they are already making notes about your speed and how you can stop your car.
The best option is to find a safe area to pull over and convince them that you aren’t driving high, even though you can’t stop them from watching your movements.
The cops may not think twice about writing your actions in the drunk or impaired column if you pull over or drive weirdly. So, watch out for a good area to pull over and reduce your speed at that moment.
5. Don’t Agree to a Roadside Test
When the police order you to pull over due to their suspicion of you driving under the influence, they may ask you to do roadside sobriety and breath alcohol tests. Even if taking these tests is optional, it may not be a bright idea.
For instance, roadside sobriety test kits are not accurate when it comes to testing for intoxication. Still, the police will use it to gather evidence against you.
Also, a breath alcohol test detects alcohol in your system less accurately. Due to the inaccuracy, results are easier to manipulate.
So, if you get arrested for DUI, decline to take the roadside sobriety and alcohol test. As a result, they cannot charge you based on unreliable evidence.
Bottom Line
Getting charged with drunk driving can make you panic and annoyed, and it can turn out very expensive. But all you have to do is know what to do before and after the police arrest you. As a result, you can also protect your rights. When in trouble, call a drug charges attorney to be your voice and bail yourself out fast.
Thank your lucky stars that you did pull over before you got into or started a bad accident. With the above guidelines, you’ll never panic when in a DUI situation.