A drunk driving stop is one of the most terrifying experiences there are, if, for no other reason, there are so many unknowns. Will the cop suppose you are inebriated? Will you lose your driver's license? Will you have to go to jail? Could you possibly immediately have squandered thousands of dollars in legal fees and fines down the drain? All of these inquiries probably race through your head, and with good cause.
The Criminal Attorney in Seattle Blog, with a bit of luck, will make you a little less frightened. While you shouldn't drink and drive, if you stumble on yourself in that place, at least in Washington State (Seattle, Kirkland, Bellevue, Tacoma, Federal Way, Kent, etc.) this post is going to confirm you own the best opportunity of making it to your house safe. But bear in mind, this information is not legal guidance. Ahead of committing any decisions that may perhaps determine your legal rights or fate, please seek advice from a Seattle criminal lawyer. Every case is special, and you want a DUI defense attorney in Seattle to evaluate your individual circumstances to know precisely what to do.
There are some important things you should be aware of about your conventional criminal detention in Seattle. First, the majority of the time you are not being pulled over on suspicion of criminal (according to the police officer). Even though it is 1:00 a.m. and he's out pulling you over for failing to make use of a turn indication, a criminal is not the actual reason he's pulling you over (okay, so it probably is, but it is beside the point here - if they've got a explanation to pull you over, they can). Presuming you weren't swerving all over the place or doing something in addition to make the police officer suppose you were hammered, getting the stop over as rapidly as feasible is the ambition.
Getting it completed represents three things: (1) act respectfully; (2) say as little as possible; and (3) once it appears as though the preliminary detention is over, ask if you may go so you can get back home. Once the police officer pulls you over, he is looking for symbols that you are under the influence. We all are aware of what those are: glassy, bloodshot eyes; slurred speech; the smell of booze. Try not to offer out those clues to the officer if possible (don't talk too much). The objective is to thwart the police officer from establishing probable cause that you are DUI. Lacking that he is going to have a hard time seizing you.
Next, if he asks you to step out of the vehicle, you can do so. But, if he asks if you'd mind taking a couple of field sobriety tests, now is where you have to take a route special than that of a good number Seattle drivers. Courteously decline. You don't even have to give an explanation. In Washington State, you have the right to stay silent, to abstain from providing incriminating evidence in contradiction of yourself, including field sobriety tests. It prevents a lot of facts from being obtained that can be used against you later on, and it is the correct thing to do. Nevertheless, be ready, for the reason that it may get you brought to the station for a breath test (if they take you, though, you were going besides).
Now, here is the essential part. The instant they say you are going to take a breath test, let the police realize you desire to converse with a Seattle DUI lawyer. Once you do this, numerous things take place. First, the cops cannot interview you any more. And subsequent, you get to talk to a criminal attorney in Seattle to figure out what you must do next. And, no matter what time of day, an attorney is available (many Seattle DUI attorneys make themselves accessible for exactly such phone calls). And any Seattle criminal defense attorney must be able to point you to a person who will answer the telephone. And if you don't know who to call, a public defender is frequently on call, so even at three in the morning you'll have a person to chat to.
From there on, you ought to really do what your Seattle criminal defense attorney says, as your individual situation, including any prior offenses, your profession, how much you've had to drink, and other things, can have an effect on what you need to do going forward.
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