Drinking and driving almost always ends with a DUI, or worse. While you should never drink and drive with the expectation of getting out of a DUI, there is a way.
Find out what your state has to say on how to get out of a DUI.
Keeping a DUI off your records boosts your education and career opportunities. Colleges and universities can’t deny admission based on a criminal conviction if they can’t find one.
Plus, employers are less likely to deny you employment if a DUI isn’t visible on a background check, especially if the job requires driving.
If you get pulled over for a DUI, there are several things you need to do, as delineated below.
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1. Pull Over to a Safe, Well-Lit Area
If a police officer suspects you’re driving under the influence, they will pull you over. Don’t pull over in the dark. Find a safe, well-lit area to stop and converse with the officer.
How you maneuver the vehicle for the stop matters to the police officer pulling you over. They observed the way you’re were driving, which is why they pulled you.
As you respond to the request to pull over, show responsibility. Drive the speed limit, and use the car’s signals to pull over to an area that’s safe for you and the officer. Doing so assures the officer you’re in control of your mental faculties.
2. Don’t Make Erratic Movements
The officer may already be on guard if he or she suspects you’re driving under the influence. Don’t make any erratic, nervous-looking movements.
Avoid fiddling with things inside the vehicle, and don’t jump out. Jumping out of the vehicle signals the officer that you’re not in your right mind.
The officer may respond with authoritative commands or force. Keep calm inside the vehicle and wait for the officer to give you commands.
3. Offer Respect Throughout the Process
The last thing a police officer wants to do is pull a drunk driver over in the middle of the night. Don’t take the stop personally. Show respect to the police officer at all times.
Rudeness and hostility towards the officer could end with an arrest. Depending on the disposition of the officer, the arrest report won’t go in your favor. A DUI might be the beginning of the charges.
Stay calm and answer every question asked of you with respect.
4. Don’t Get Yourself Arrested
You’re not an attorney, so don’t answer questions like one. Refrain from volunteering information. Behaving like a Chatty-Cathy could cause you to say something that lands you in jail.
Don’t lie, but don’t answer questions in a way that encourages the officer to arrest you.
5. Don’t Take the Breathalyzer Test
You have a right to refuse the breathalyzer test. However, in some states, refusing the breathalyzer results in automatic suspension of your license. Getting your license suspended is better than going to jail.
In some cases, if you refuse, the officer may take you into custody, but that’s based on their discretion.
If the officer writes you a ticket as well, take it and speak with an attorney later. This criminal defense attorney can explain more about the judicial process.
Learn How to Get Out of a DUI
Driving while intoxicated can result in a criminal record. Use this guide to learn how to get out of a DUI if you’re caught drinking and driving.
Do you need help with more than just your legal woes? Take a look at our lifestyle guide for the latest lifehacks, tips, and trends.
