The best way to avoid DUI charges is to never drink and drive. However, there are times when people make mistakes, such as if they only have one drink and assume that they’re okay to get behind the wheel.
If you’re pulled over for suspicion of DUI, there’s no way of knowing exactly what will happen. That being said, there are things you should and shouldn’t say and do. Here are a handful of things you should never say:
- “I only had one or two drinks.” Don’t give the officer any reason to believe that you have alcohol in your system. You think this sounds good, but you’ve admitted to the officer that you’ve been drinking.
- “You didn’t have any reason to pull me over.” Even if this is true, now’s not the time to tell the officer about your legal rights. You’re better off keeping this to yourself, and then using it to your advantage later should you need to fight your charges in court.
- “You’ll never believe what happened.” Don’t tell a story, even if it sounds good to you. The officer will see right through it, and assume that you have something to hide.
As a general rule of thumb, say as little as you can during a DUI traffic stop. You have the right to remain silent, so don’t hesitate to exercise it.
Should you find yourself dealing with DUI criminal charges, revisit all of the circumstances surrounding the incident. This will help you determine how to best defend yourself when your day in court arrives.