If you are pulled over by the police after having a few drinks, you might be afraid and may not know what to do. Here are a few tips to follow if you find yourself in this intimidating situation.

What to Do:

• Follow the police officer’s directions on where and when to pull over.  If you do not follow his instructions, the prosecution will claim it serves as evidence of your impaired thinking.
• Be polite to the officer who pulled you over. He or she is only following the law and trying to keep the roads safe for everyone.
• Get your driver’s license and vehicle registration out for the officer to review.
• Roll down the window a few inches in order to speak with the officer and hand him or her your paperwork.
• You will be taken to the Vista jail for a North San Diego County DUI arrest.  Take the blood or breathalyzer test after at this point. You are legally required to do one or the other, but the decision as to which test is yours to make.
• When they release you from jail you will receive a pink notice of suspension/temporary license from the DMV and a separate paper giving you a court date.  Call your Oceanside DUI attorney and make an appointment right away, and remember to bring your paperwork to the interview.

What Not to Do:

• Do not get out of the car unless the officer asks you to do so.
• You should never answer questions related to where you have been, what you have been doing and whether or not you have been drinking. Doing so will not help your case later on.
• Always refuse to take a Prelminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) Test if you know that you are intoxicated. Doing so will only provide the officer with more evidence that will be used against you later on. If you are under 21 though, you are legally required to submit to the PAS.
• Do not try to excuse your behavior by explaining that you were using a prescription drug instead of alcohol. If a substance impedes your ability of drive, you can be charged with Drinking Under the Influence, whether it is alcohol, illegal drugs or prescriptions.
• Never take the Field Sobriety Tests unless you know you will pass. Like the PAS, these are not mandatory and only provide the officer with additional evidence if you are intoxicated.
• Do not fight the officer or resist arrest, even if you are innocent, this will not help your case.

Of course, if you have already been stopped by the police and been arrested for drunk driving, these tips will only be able to help you in similar future circumstances. For your current situation, you should immediately contact a skilled Vista DUI lawyer like Peter M. Liss at (760) 643-4050 to discuss your case.

Creative Commons Image by Keith Allison