A DUI Stop Can Escalate If You’re Not Careful
It didn’t take long for actress Reese Witherspoon to publicly apologize to police for her behavior during her husband’s arrest on DUI charges nearly two weeks ago.
“I clearly had one drink too many and I am deeply embarrassed about the things I said,” she said in her statement less than two days after the arrest. The actress reportedly refused the officer’s request that she stay in the car, among other things she said and did that ultimately led to her own arrest for disorderly conduct charges.
It may seem common sense for many of us who heard about the actress’ predicament that she should simply have quietly sat in the car while the officer conducted the investigation on her husband. She not only hindered her husband’s case but triggered her own arrest.
Would you know how to behave if you were pulled over? It may be helpful to know that there are things you can do from avoiding a DUI arrest if you are stopped by a police officer for investigation of drunk driving.
Don’t panic. First of all, do your best to stay calm. Officers will be watching you carefully for signs of intoxication and any signs of nervousness or agitation will be noted and can be considered a possible symptom of intoxication.
Be prepared. Make sure your license, registration and proof of insurance are within easy reach so that an officer doesn’t see you fumbling for the documents when you are asked for them.
Be respectful. Reese Witherspoon’s arrest perfectly illustrates how the situation can spiral out of control if someone is disrespectful of police, particularly when officers are in the midst of an investigation.
Be brief. Remember that any information you provide to the officer regarding how many drinks you may have had, where you’ve been, etc. can all be used against you later in court. It is best to be brief when answering an officers’ questions and don’t volunteer any extra information.
Don’t lie. Any inconsistencies in your statements can compromise your credibility and be used against you.
Know your rights and responsibilities before you’re stopped by police. Better yet, don’t give police a reason to stop you. It is always best not to drink and drive, but if you happen to be arrested for suspicion of DUI, contact an experienced DUI attorney who can discuss in detail with you the best way to proceed in defending yourself against DUI charges.
Photo credit: Alex E. Proimos