Countless motorists get pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) every year here in Georgia. Not all of the drivers were intoxicated at the time police detained them. Even still, they end up undergoing questioning by police about whether they’ve consumed alcohol that evening. This can lead law enforcement to ask them to perform field sobriety or Breathalyzer tests. An arrest and criminal charges may result.
One of the biggest mistakes that motorists face in similar situations is that they lack knowledge about what to do when stopped. Would you know what to do if this happened to you?
Be careful about how you engage with police
You should treat a police officer respectfully from the minute they attempt to pull you over. You’ll want to avoid engaging in friendly banter, although it may ease your anxiety to engage them in such a way. They may use any comments you make, however incidental they may seem, against you.
If law enforcement asks if you’ve had anything to drink and you feel compelled to respond, then you might want to inquire why they’re asking such a question. It may be even better if you simply ask if they’d like to see your driver’s license instead of acknowledging their original question.
Be cautious when complying with an officer’s requests
After observing you, the police officer may decide that they’d like to have you get out of your car. Higher courts have generally deemed such a request as lawful. It may be in your best interest to decline requests to perform exercises as no law says that you have to do them. Your performance of these tests may give a police officer a reason to ask you to take a chemical test.
Know your DUI stop responsibilities and rights
Georgia has an implied consent law, meaning you consent to chemical tests in exchange for the issuance of your driver’s license. Your chemical testing refusal may lead to an automatic suspension of your driver’s license.
An arrest and subsequent conviction on DUI charges can lead to a suspension of your driver’s license and affect your life in other areas. That’s why you must be cautious about how you respond during a police stop if you want to avoid potential charges.
