No doubt, driving under the influence is a serious violation and a major threat to public safety. However, life is not as straight and direct as a road. In some cases, a person may even be charged by mistake or falsely. Whether you have committed this violation or not, you should know about the must-have set of rights you are always entitled to by law.
Unfortunately, a lack of knowledge about these rights often leads to their violations during arrests and investigations. Even if you have been charged justifiably, such violations may lead to imposing more severe sanctions than you deserve. In this review, a professional Tulsa DUI attorney will shed light on aspects often overlooked by drivers during DUI investigations. This review will help you avoid severe consequences. If you risk facing such, request a quote for a professional and personalized consultation to help avoid or at least minimize these negative consequences.
Driving Under the Influence: What is the Essence of This Violation?
Driving under the influence, most commonly of alcohol or substance abuse, is the legal act of operating a vehicle that poses a significant risk to public safety. The reason for that is that alcohol and substances severely compromise the driver’s cognitive and motor skills, increasing the likelihood of incidents, injuries, and even fatalities.
There are several aspects of this violation. First, impairment is never limited to a certain blood alcohol level. It is associated with impaired judgment and motor control. Second, the substances in the human body that cause such an effect. These may be alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications. Third, there is a risk to public safety due to the mentioned substances and their impact on the driver’s mind.
Depending on the severity of the committed offense, the legal consequences may vary as well. Those may be fines, license suspension, mandatory rehabilitation programs, or even imprisonment. If you have found yourself in this situation, it is essential to know what you should do and what you should not.
What You Should Do When Arrested or Charged with DUI?
Probably, the best advice in this case is not to do anything before your DUI attorney comes. You have the full legal right to refrain from giving any comments about the situation until a legal professional is involved in the process. You may calmly say to a police officer that you want to meet your attorney first before providing any details about the situation. In addition, there are some things you can do when dealing with a police officer after being stopped and arrested:
- Understand your charges. At this point, you should also understand the severity of your offense in addition to the charges against you. The latter may be anything from a fine to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the violation. That’s why it is sometimes crucial to seek professional legal help to avoid more severe consequences than you should.
- Cooperate with the police. Don’t refuse to comply with their legal requests. You should name yourself, be polite, and provide your ID for review. You may also provide some minor details about what has happened. However, it is reasonable to avoid saying anything that can be used against you. If you are unsure about that, you can always tell a police officer that you want to consult with your attorney first.
- Record the details of what has happened. Once you are released from jail, record the details about the situation. You don’t need to tell a police officer everything, but these details will be very helpful to your DUI attorney in protecting your interests. Once the situation has passed, you should form a clear picture of what has happened.
- Identify potential witnesses. If your rights were violated, witnesses can help to protect them. These may include friends, other acquaintances, staff, etc. In some cases, for instance, when a police officer has used excessive force, including without reason, and caused injuries, the involvement of witnesses is very important to protect your rights.
Things You Should Avoid
If you have committed this violation, you should act reasonably and refrain from doing these things:
- Speaking too much. Being under the influence of alcohol and drugs can significantly reduce your level of consciousness and encourage excessive dialogs on the matter. However, try not to speak too much about what has happened until your attorney comes. You may limit your explanations solely to essential information. Saying that you are feeling bad now and will provide explanations later is fine.
- Lying. There is no need to say that you haven’t committed this violation if you have. Denying will only make things worse. Try to keep a balance in what you say.
- Don’t take any action unless you know its purpose. Even if an officer clarifies to you what they are going to do, make sure you fully understand that and that the provided clarifications fully align with the nature of the actions. If you have noticed any discrepancies or generally have doubts, refrain from taking any actions before the arrival of your DUI attorney.
- Don’t be aggressive. Even if you dislike this situation, you are angry, don’t conflict with a police officer for no reason. This can only make things worse. Instead, try to remain calm and polite.
How a Tulsa DUI Attorney Can Help You
Different situations may happen. The core point is to protect your rights and not bear more severe consequences than you should during the investigations and afterward.
Suppose you are afraid of an upcoming court hearing and don’t know how to prepare yourself well. In that case, a professional DUI attorney can help you and effectively represent your interests before a court. If you want to be aware of your rights in advance, request a personalized consultation and always remain on the safe side!
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