What You Should Say After A DUI Arrest
If the police pull you over and detain you for a suspected DUI, it means you could be charged with driving over the legal limit of alcohol or driving under the influence of drugs. When you are intoxicated, your guard may be down and your personal filter wide open. This causes some people to say more than they probably should in this type of situation. You need to be tactful when you speak to law enforcement after you have been detained, as anything you say could be used against you. Here are some tips to remember if you are ever in this situation:
Answer Questions Succinctly
After you are arrested, the police officer will read your Miranda Rights. This essentially tells you anything you say can be used against you once you go to court. You also have the right to say nothing. While keeping quiet seems like the logical thing to do, your unwillingness to speak when the officer asks questions could appear as guilt.
Instead, provide short and factual answers to the officer's questions. If any questions seem out of line or you don't know the answer, you do not have to answer. Simply say you do not know and would like to speak to your attorney. Be respectful when speaking. Bad behavior could mean you go to jail when you otherwise may have been allowed to go home.
Ask for Your Attorney
After you are arrested, ask to speak to your attorney before you answer any further questions. Your attorney can be present for questioning per your rights under the Miranda warning. Should the officers attempt to gather information from you after making this request, you can simply say you will answer their questions once your attorney arrives. This will help you avoid saying anything that could get you into further trouble.
Getting arrested for driving under the influence can be upsetting and an overall very scary experience. If you believe you were not driving under the influence or were not above the legal limits, you should explain this fact respectfully during your detainment and avoid speaking about it until a DUI attorney is present. If you wish, you can delay any further sobriety testing until your attorney arrives at the police station. The point to remember is that you must do all you can to remain calm, respectful, and rational during this time in order to avoid more legal problems.