No one wants to get pulled over by the police. If you’ve had a few drinks, your freedom will flash before your eyes. If you don’t think you’ve done anything wrong, you’ll be annoyed and possibly angry about being stopped. Whatever the case, you need to know how to handle the situation correctly. The things you say and do can have a huge effect on what happens next. Aside from contacting one of our Boise DUI attorneys, here are some of the steps you should take.
Be Respectful Towards the Officer
Police officers are usually just trying to do their jobs and keep everyone safe. If you’re eager to get home or get to work, you’ll be frustrated. However, you shouldn’t show that frustration. Be as respectful as possible. Displaying a negative attitude or being combative could land you in more trouble.
Be Careful About What You Say
Even though you should be respectful, you shouldn’t be overly chatty. In fact, the officer will likely ask a number of questions that you should decline to answer. The officer will be trying to get you to incriminate yourself. Therefore, they may ask about where you’ve been or how much you’ve had to drink. You may be tempted to say “just a few” but that actually won’t help your case. You have the right not to answer.
Think Carefully About Taking Sobriety Tests
It’s very easy to fail these tests even if you’re sober. Also, they’re quite subjective and you’re not legally obligated to take one. However, if you refuse, the officer may use this as probable cause for your arrest. Once you’re under arrest, the officer will ask you to take a breath test.
Because of Idaho’s implied consent laws, you agree to be tested whenever you get behind the wheel. If you refuse to provide a sample of your breath, your driver’s license will likely be suspended for a year. The officer could also seek a warrant to test your blood. While refusing these tests will prevent the police from collecting evidence against you, you won’t drive away unscathed.
Write Down All the Details About Your Arrest
If you’ve already been arrested, you can’t undo the decisions you’ve already made. However, you shouldn’t panic. You’ll need to work closely with a Boise DUI attorney to mitigate the damage and ensure you make the right decisions from here on. You can help your defense by writing down everything that happened from the moment you were pulled over. Some of the things your attorney will be interested in include:
- Where you were pulled over
- How much time had passed since you stopped drinking
- Whether you were read your Miranda Rights
- What you said when questioned
The more you can remember about your encounter with the police, the better it will be for you. Your DUI lawyer may be able to find a procedural error or technicality that could result in the dismissal of the charges.
Book Your Own Substance Abuse Evaluation
If you get convicted of a DUI in Idaho, you will have to undergo a substance abuse evaluation. This looks at your history with drug or alcohol use as well as your environment to determine the type of treatment you may need. You don’t need to wait until you’re convicted to get an evaluation. Instead, you can go ahead undergo the evaluation and begin any recommended treatment. This could help the judge to look on you more favorably.
Hire an Experienced Boise DUI Lawyer
In Idaho, you will typically spend up to six months in jail if you get convicted of a DUI. However, if your BAC is .20 percent or higher, you could have to spend up to a year. you’ll also pay up to $1,000 in fines or $2,000 is your BAC is above .20 percent. In most cases, your driver’s license will be suspended for between 90 and 210 days. A BAC of .20 percent or greater could see you losing your driving privileges for up to a year.
If you want to avoid these penalties, you need to hire a local attorney who will put in the work to help you. A local lawyer is likely to be familiar with the prosecutors and judges. You should also hire a lawyer who specializes in DUI cases since they’re not the same as other criminal cases.
Contact Our Boise DUI Lawyers Today!
If you’re facing DUI charges, you shouldn’t try to fight them alone. Contact the Boise DUI lawyers at the Trilogy Law Group for advice and representation. It’s best if you call us at the first opportunity after your arrest but we can still help you if you’re further along in the process. Book your consultation today!