Understand how to act properly to reduce your chances of being arrested for a DUI in Nashville, TN.
As soon as you see the flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror, you may be overwhelmed with worry and fear, especially if you had a few drinks throughout the night.
How you handle your encounter with the police officer can determine spending the night in your own bed or spending the night in a jail cell. As a former prosecutor, our Nashville DUI lawyer has a few recommendations when handling this type of situation.
If you are pulled over while driving
The following are steps to take when you get pulled over for a suspected drunk driving:
- Be polite. When you treat police officers with respect, they will often do the same in return.
- Cooperate to an extent. Hand over your driver’s license and registration in a pleasant manner. Any sort of resistance to reasonable request or bad attitude can escalate into a hostile situation.
- Know the implied consent law. According to Tennessee driving laws, anyone on public roadways automatically consents to a roadside sobriety test, such as a breathalyzer. If you refuse to perform these tests, then your driver’s license will be suspended for one year, in addition to being arrested. If you do participate in the breathalyzer, these results will not be admissible in court. However, you will take another test back in the police station that can be used in court.
- Demonstrate your Miranda Rights. You are legally not required to admit you’ve been drinking or provide any information to police officers that can be used against you in court. Do not be afraid or intimidated to use your right to remain silent.
- Get a hold of a lawyer as soon as possible. If you’re arrested, you may be allowed only one phone call. Therefore, you should use that phone call to contact an experienced and skilled DUI defense attorney.
