Protecting Yourself When You Get A DUI
The police arrested 1.1 millions Americans in 2014 for driving under the influence. If a person finds themselves in this position, they need to know how to protect themselves legally. These helpful tips can help a person when they get pulled over for suspicion of DUI.
Field Sobriety Tests
You are not legally required to preform any field sobriety tests. In fact, if you are intoxicated, participating in the field sobriety tests can be incriminating. Furthermore, these tests are subjective and many things can hinder your performance in these tests.
Breathalyzers
There are immediate consequences for refusing to submit to a breathalyzer; your license will be revoked immediately. The law is that people can not drive when their blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher. Certain states have larger consequences for a BAC of .15 or higher. When you do submit to a breathalyzer and fail, there are outside forces that can prevent accurate results.
Breathalyzer results can be altered by something as simple as a no-carb diet. When the body gets hit with the shock of not having carbs, it converts fat into energy instead of carbs. This creates a substance called "ketones". These ketones contain isopropyl alcohol. This will register as the alcohol that we consume during a breathalyzer. Other conditions that can create a false positive include diabetes, inhalers, and acid reflux. Police officers can be the cause of a false positive, too. If the breathalyzer is not calibrated correctly or if they do not use a clean mouthpiece.
Hiring a Lawyer
If a person is arrested after a DUI stop, it's highly recommended to hire a lawyer. A person with a BAC of .08 - .11 has a 90% chance of getting convicted. This likelihood of being convicted raises to 100% of the BAC is higher than .2.
Many people wonder if they actually need a lawyer for their case. A lawyer can guide you in the right direction if you plan to fight the case. A lawyer can also negotiate fines and punishments associated with your arrest. A lawyer may even be able to reduce a conviction from a DUI to something less serious. A lawyer may cost money up front, but most people find themselves paying less in court fees.
A DUI is a serious conviction. The conviction can lead to a suspended license, fees, and a record. Handling a DUI properly can make the situation less painful.
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