DUI Articles: Your DUI Rights
The terms DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated) can both be used to describe the operation of motor vehicles while drinking, and violating driving laws.
If a driver is stopped by law enforcement, found to have blood alcohol level at or above the legal limit, an offense by either name has officially occurred.
It should go without saying that if YOU are stopped by a police while driving under the influence, it is never in your best interest to be impolite, rude, or uncooperative to the officer.
Though the legal limit of alcohol differs according to factors like age, the type of license and driver you are, you might consider the following checklist when pulled over by an officer on suspicion of DUI:
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Pull your car over as SOON as possible after spotting the police lights in your mirror. Try to pull over in a safe, well lit area for the safety of both yourself and the officer. Keep your hands on the wheel once stopped and do NOT fish for your license and/or registration UNTIL asked by the officer. Doing so might project the illusion of a weapon search on your part for instance. Roll down your window, keep your passengers quiet, and wait for the officer to approach.
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Be NICE and be CALM. There is absolutely nothing to gain by not doing so.
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Do not admit guilt or wrong doing in any way. There may be video cameras and/or audio recorders in play during a stop. What you say, if recorded, can be used in court against you. Don't make excuses...they can be interpreted in some cases as 'admission' of guilt.
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Ask for a warning! If an officer has told you that you have violated law (without your admission of doing so as mentioned) but has not yet started writing your ticket, let him know that you would appreciate a warning rather than a ticket. However, if you ARE issued a ticket, immediately collect yourself to record the following:
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Time
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Date
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Place
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Weather
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Traffic Conditions
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Officer's Name and Badge Number
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Anything that is not consistent from the officer as to WHY you were pulled over
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- Remember, signing the ticket is not an admission of guilt, but refusal to sign may be grounds for arrest!
Above all, if you have any questions about this or other DUI topics in Atlanta, please contact Mark!
Fill out the short form above to contact Georgia DUI Lawyer Mark Hansford today!