DUI offenders can experience lifelong consequences, financially and socially. Between court fees, license suspensions, and jail time there can be serious short and long term issues. It’s crucial to find an expert legal team who will fight for your best outcome.
It’s important to know your rights. When pulled over by a police officer, even the most innocent traffic stop can turn into a DUI arrest. When on the side of the road and being questioned by a police officer, it is important to provide the officer with the necessary information to address the traffic stop, but you still have a Fifth Amendment right that protects you from self-incrimination. Police officers in these situations will ask you many questions, such as where are you coming from, or have you had anything to drink? It is important to know that you do not have to answer these questions.
To arrest you for a DUI, a police officer needs probable cause. To establish this, they will not only use the answers you give them from their questions, but also how you perform on the field sobriety tests. Again, you have the right to refuse to take these tests. It is critical to be respectful throughout this process. If you’re not, you may end up in handcuffs.
If arrested, a police officer will ask you to submit to a chemical test—to determine what your blood alcohol level (or BAC). Under PA implied consent law, if you refuse to submit to this testing, your license will be suspended by PennDOT regardless of the outcome of your DUI allegation.
If arrested for a DUI, you may feel scared and overwhelmed. It is important to be proactive with your rights so you can be vigilant in fighting your case. You will need an experienced lawyer to examine and challenge the evidence in your DUI case. There are many intricacies in a DUI case, and each case is unique, but a seasoned criminal attorney can unearth the legal errors to protect you.
