DUI laws are often confusing, but at least one fact is clear: These charges can threaten your personal and financial freedoms. A conviction can come with steep fines and jail time, which can put your career, relationships and daily lifestyle at risk.
If you or a loved one is facing DUI charges, contact a White Plains DUI lawyer as soon as possible. Darren DeUrso, Attorney at Law can evaluate your case, gather evidence, talk to witnesses and build your defense. Call our office today at 914-772-8614 to schedule a consultation.
In the meantime, here are four common misconceptions about DUI laws in New York:
- You Must Participate in Roadside Sobriety Tests
As convincing as an officer may be when he or she asks you to step outside the car to conduct sobriety tests, you do not have to do so. Often, the best course of action in this scenario is to state that you would like to wait to speak with an attorney before participating in any tests.
Even if you are confident that you are not intoxicated, it may be better to decline sobriety tests because they are highly subjective. Simply reciting the alphabet backward, walking in a straight line, or touching your fingers to your nose are by no means sufficient ways to test someone’s sobriety.
- You Must Answer Every Question
If an officer suspects that you consumed alcohol before driving, he or she may ask if you have been drinking. If your blood alcohol content is less than 0.08 percent and you are over the age of 21, then you are legally sober enough to drive, according to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles.
Understandably, many drivers may not want to confess to having a beer or two because it might come with further questioning; however, you should never lie to a police officer under any circumstances.
Even if you had a single beer or just one glass of wine, you have two options: Tell the truth or decline to answer questions without a lawyer present. While either response might make the interaction last longer than you would care for, it is better than lying to an officer and making the situation worse.
- You Can Trick a Breathalyzer
There are tons of myths that promise an easy way to fool a breathalyzer test. In reality, you cannot trick a breathalyzer. If the officer calibrated the equipment correctly, it will show a relatively accurate reading regardless of whether or not you had a cup of coffee, brushed your teeth or chewed gum.
- You Can Have Two Drinks Before You Are Legally Drunk
There is some truth to this misconception. For some people, two drinks will not be enough to raise their blood alcohol level to the illegal threshold.
Depending on several different factors, it may take anywhere from one to five drinks to get you over the legal limit. If you plan on drinking at all, you should rely on public transit or a designated driver.
If you find yourself on the wrong side of the law in White Plains, Darren DeUrso, Attorney at Law can defend your rights in court. Call us today for a consultation at 914-772-8614.