What To Do If Pulled Over
Most people have experienced being pulled over once in his or her life, but we don’t always know the right thing to do. If you are suspected of drunk driving, your behavior during your traffic stop is very critical.
Anything that you say or do can be used against you later in court. Matthew Reisig a New Jersey DWI attorney believes everyone should be educated about how to act if you are pulled over. These tips can be invaluable to you when you go to trial.
- Be safe. A police office will judge your ability to make rational decisions. Do not pull over into a dangerous area; he will automatically suspect your sobriety. You do not have to pull over immediately upon seeing police lights. If you are not in a safe position to pull over you can keep going until you find a safe spot to pull over.
- Stay Quiet. You are being recorded so anything that you say or do can be used against you later. You don’t have to explain where you are going or where you are coming from. Don’t make excuses for your driving.
- Act polite. By being polite while refusing to answer questions sometimes will infuriate police officers, which might result in their saying or doing something that will help in your favor. Acting rudely will show up in trial and can be used against you.
- Be stubborn. You can politely decline the field sobriety test if an officer requests that you take one. The test is not mandatory and the police officer has usually already decided to arrest you for drunk driving by the time they even ask you to take the field sobriety test.
- Stay stubborn. Do not take the portable Breathalyzer test either. This is another test that is disguised to look like a requirement. These devices are not required and they are inaccurate.
- Understand your duties. When you get to the station and are asked to take a real chemical sobriety test, this you need to do. A New Jersey DWI lawyer can later dispute these results. But if you refuse this test it can be counted against you much worse than a Breathalyzer failure. In general, if you refuse this test you will receive ten months of license suspension, while people who fail the test normally receive three months of license suspension.
- Get an attorney. Ask for an attorney you will not be granted a New Jersey DWI attorney immediately but it will show that you are in control of your mental facilities and you know your rights. This will benefit you in the long run.
Contact your New Jersey DWI lawyer as soon as possible if you have been arrested for a DWI. Reisig & Associates can answer you questions and provide you with the best DWI defense in New Jersey. Your initial consultation is free, so contact our office anytime to discuss your case.
