Few experiences can match the stress of seeing those blue lights flashing in your rearview mirror. Even if you are sober, a traffic stop is nerve-racking.
If an officer stops you under suspicion of driving while intoxicated, he or she will be looking for probable cause to arrest you, according to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. It is critical that you know how to behave in order to avoid unnecessary interrogation, sobriety tests and other inconveniences.
If you were arrested for DWI, contact Darren DeUrso, Attorney at Law. Mr. DeUrso is a White Plains criminal attorney who can aggressively fight the charges.
Mr. DeUrso gives each case the individual attention that it deserves. Call 914-772-8614 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit dui-lawyers.usattorneys.com/new-york to learn more about DWI laws in New York.
Read on for helpful tips to keep in mind during a traffic stop:
The Initial Steps
Pull over at the nearest safe location, and give the officer your driver’s license and registration. It is important that you are polite to the officer, but you do not have to fulfill every request or answer every question.
You Do Not Have to Answer Every Question
You do not have to answer if an officer asks you whether or not you were drinking. However, you should not deliberately lie. If you did consume a few drinks and you wish not to disclose that information, you can politely tell the officer that you do not want to answer until a criminal attorney is present.
Furthermore, you can decline to answer if the officer wants to know where you have been or where you plan to go. If you recently left a party or bar, then it is likely that the officer will believe you are intoxicated. Once again, you can politely refuse to answer until a DWI lawyer is present.
It Is Almost Always Wise to Consent to the Breathalyzer Test
Refusing a breathalyzer test has consequences: Your driver’s license will be suspended for at least one year for a first refusal, and you will have to pay $500. You will lose your license for 18 months for a second refusal, and the fine increases to $750, according to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Do Not Take Field Sobriety Tests
It is possible that the officer will ask you to complete field sobriety tests, such as the one-leg stand or reciting the alphabet backward. These tests are subjective and notoriously inaccurate.
Sober people can fail field sobriety tests due to joint pain, age, weight, medications and other factors. Even your shoes or the weather can cause you to fail. In New York, you can refuse standardized field sobriety tests without consequence.
If you are facing DWI charges in White Plains, contact Darren DeUrso, Attorney at Law. Mr. DeUrso is a DWI lawyer who will aggressively fight for a positive outcome to your case. He has been in practice for 25 years and was an assistant district attorney for Westchester County. Call 914-772-8614 to schedule a consultation.