A Seattle DUI stop is one of the most scary experiences there are, if, for no other grounds, there are so many unknowns. Will the officer believe you are drunk? Will you lose your driver's license? Will you need to go to lockup? Could you potentially immediately have wasted thousands of dollars in lawyer fees and fines down the drain? All of these questions most likely race through your head, and with justifiable grounds.
This post, hopefully, will make you a little less scared. While you shouldn't drink and drive, if you stumble on yourself in that position, at least in Washington State (Seattle, Kirkland, Bellevue, Tacoma, Federal Way, Kent, etc.) this commentary is going to confirm you control the greatest shot of making it to your house out of harm's way. But keep in mind, this data is not legal advice. Ahead of committing any choices that could conclude your legal rights or fate, please seek advice from a Seattle criminal attorney. Each occurrence is special, and you require DUI attorneys in Seattle to calculate your individual set of circumstances to distinguish just what to do.
There are several critical things you should appreciate about your typical criminal stop in Seattle. First, the majority of the time you are not being stopped on suspicion of DUI (according to the police officer). Even though it is 1:00 a.m. and he's out pulling you over for failing to utilize a turn signal, a DUI is not the genuine explanation he's pulling you over (okay, so it almost certainly is, but it is beside the point here - if they've got a explanation to pull you over, they can). Assuming you weren't swerving all over the place or doing something in addition to make the cop consider you were drunk, getting the stop over as rapidly as feasible is the goal.
Getting it completed signifies three things: (1) act courteously; (2) say as little as feasible; and (3) after it seems as though the original stop is over, ask if you may go so you can get to your house. After the officer pulls you over, he is looking for signs that you are under the influence. We all know what those are: glassy, bloodshot eyes; slurred speech; the smell of alcohol. Try not to offer out those clues to the cop if achievable (don't converse too much). The purpose is to stop the officer from establishing probable cause that you are criminal. Lacking that he is going to have a hard time apprehending you.
Next, if he asks you to move out of the automobile, you can do so. But, if he asks if you'd mind taking a few of field sobriety tests, at this point is where you have to take a course different than that of a good number Seattle drivers. Respectfully decline. You don't even have to offer an explanation. In Washington State, you have the right to remain silent, to abstain from providing incriminating evidence against yourself, including field sobriety tests. This refusal cannot be utilized in opposition to you as evidence of intoxication, it prevents a lot of evidence from being obtained that can be used counter to you later, and it is the reasonable thing to do. However, be ready, because it may get you brought to the station for a breath test (if they take you, nonetheless, you were going nevertheless).
Now, here is the crucial part. The instant they say you are going to take a breath test, let the cops know you want to chat with a Seattle DUI defense attorney. After you do this, more than a few things take place. First, the police cannot interview you any further. And subsequent, you get to speak to a criminal lawyer in Seattle to figure out what you should do next. And, no matter what time of day, an attorney is available (many Seattle DUI lawyers make themselves on hand for exactly such phone calls). And any Seattle DUI attorney must be able to lead you to someone who will answer the telephone. And if you don't know who to call, a public defender is ordinarily on call, so even at three in the morning you'll have someone to speak to.
From there on, you should in fact do what your Seattle criminal defense lawyer says, as your personal situation, including any prior offenses, your job, how much you've had to drink, and additional things, can have an effect on what you desire to do moving ahead.
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Arrested for DUI? Talk to a Seattle DUI Attorney as Soon as Possible
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