You’re driving down the road, paying attention like you always do, when you hear police sirens and see lights in your rearview mirror. You hope that the officers passes you by, but you worry that you may indeed be the one on their radar.
If you’re pulled over for suspicion of drunk driving, you can expect your mind to race, your palms to sweat and your stomach to churn. And that holds true even if you don’t have a drop of alcohol in your system.
There’s a lot to contend with during this type of traffic stop, but there are things you can do to help your cause. Here are the steps to take:
- Cooperate. When the officers asks for your license and registration, provide it to them on the spot. Don’t ask why or fight back for any reason. It only complicates the situation.
- Be polite. You don’t have to go overboard, but it’s critical to remain polite and respectful as to not give the officers any reason to believe you’re under the influence.
- Don’t say too much. If the officers suspects that you’ve been drinking, they’re going to ask questions. You can answer them, but stick to the basics. And of course, don’t say anything that could incriminate you.
Even if you do these things, the officers could still put you under arrest for suspicion of DWI. It’s both scary and frustrating to get arrested, especially if you don’t believe you violated the law. However, now’s not the time to talk back or put up a fight.
You’ll get your day in court, and when you do, make sure you have a DWI defense strategy to help you avoid a conviction.