Anchorage After a long day at work, you and your work buddies head out to grab some dinner and have a couple of beers. It’s been a stressful week, so you’ve decided to allow yourself a drink or two even though it’s a weekday. A few hours pass and everyone heads back to their cars to drive home for the night; you get into your car thinking you feel alright enough to drive the short distance between the restaurant and your house.
Before you know it, you see bright, red, and white lights flashing in your rearview mirror. You are nervous as you pull over to the side of the road. In our experience as DUI defense attorneys, this is where we see many of our clients make mistakes when interacting with the police. Many times, clients make mistakes because they do not know their rights. Continue reading this blog by our local Anchorage DUI lawyers, from Denali Law Group to find out what you should do if you’re pulled over for suspected DUI.
Find a Safe Spot to Pull Over
From the second the police decide to pull you over, they begin observing your behavior. They are going to look for any signs of intoxication displayed in your driving. Police record any observations made in their police report which is later used as evidence by the prosecution at your criminal trial and DMV hearing. Behaviors police are looking for include:
- How you stop your vehicle: Once you noticed the police lights, did you break abruptly? Were you swerving or driving erratically to pull immediately over to the side of the road?
- Where you pulled over: Police surmise that a sober driver would see the police lights, but look for a safe place to pull over before stopping.
Don’t Be Rude
Getting pulled over by police can be nerve-racking to some, and infuriating to others. Either way, it is in your best interest to conduct yourself in a professional and polite manner, even if you think you’ve been pulled over incorrectly. Many officers have dash cams and body cams so anything you say could end up on video and used as evidence against you.
However, just because you should be polite does not mean you have to answer every question the police ask you. If a police officer asks you where you’re going or where you’re coming from you can politely decline to answer them. If you are coming from a bar or restaurant or any other place known for servicing alcohol, refusing to answer where you were is a good idea.
Don’t Lie, Don’t Incriminate Yourself
As mentioned above, when police officers pull you over they begin collecting evidence against you. The only information you have to provide them with is your license, registration, and proof of insurance. You have the right to protect yourself against self-incrimination but never lie to the police.
Ask for an Anchorage DUI Lawyer
If you are arrested, you should contact a qualified defense attorney immediately. We have over 75 years of combined experience handling DUI cases like yours. While we hope you won’t have to call us, know that we are ready to provide you with the expertise you need to get the best outcome for your situation. Call (907) 276-1942 to speak with one of our Anchorage criminal defense attorneys.
