4 Tips To Follow When Pulled Over For A DWI

Being pulled over for a DWI is not a situation you ever want to put yourself in because of the legal obligations that you will face. Sometimes, though, you may be pulled over for a DWI for the wrong reasons. This is because an officer may believe you to be under the influence when you're not or when you know you haven't had enough to drink to be over the legal limit. If you find yourself in this situation, here are four tips to follow when you are pulled over:

1. ​Decline to answer incriminating questions: When you are pulled over, the officer may ask you questions, such as, "How much have you had to drink tonight?" When a question like this is asked, it's best not to answer, but politely decline, instead. Your answer to this question can be used against you in the future if you decide to fight the DWI in court later.
2. Decline the tests: The officer may ask you to take multiple tests to prove your intoxication. These tests include the walk and run test, which is where the officer will ask you to run and then walk continuously to determine whether or not you are stumbling. The officer will also likely ask you to take the breathalyzer test. Although it may seem that you must do this, you can actually decline it. The officer can still arrest you for a DWI, but there won't be any evidence of a failed test to show the jury later.
3. Don't say anything in the car or jail cell: After being arrested for a DWI, you shouldn't make any statements while driving to the station in the police car or while being held in your jail cell, even to other people who may be booked that night. If you do say anything, your statements could be used against you later in court. That could potentially make it more challenging for your DWI attorney to defend your case.
4. Hire an attorney: Attempting to fight the case on your own can prove challenging. It's best to hire a DWI attorney who has the experience and knowledge of the laws that surround DWI cases in your state. An attorney may be able to help you get the charges reduced or dropped altogether.

When you follow these tips after being pulled over for a DWI, you can better get yourself out of the situation. For more information, consider contacting an attorney like those at The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel.