Getting pulled over after you have been drinking can be a terrifying experience – especially in light of the fact that even a few beers or a couple glasses of wine with dinner could put you over the legal limit. When many drivers first realize that the officer who stopped them suspects that they are drunk, they immediately become defensive and try and talk their way out of getting arrested. Some examples of things that drivers often say to try and avoid getting arrested include the following:

  • “I only had a couple”
  • “My last drink was hours ago”
  • I’m almost home”
  • I made a mistake, and I am drunk. Can you just let me go this one time?”

The problem with these statements and others like them is that they all provide evidence that could be used to support the arresting officer’s assertion that you were under the influence of alcohol when you were pulled over. As a driver, it is important to understand that from the moment you see the lights on behind you, the police are in evidence-gathering mode. When they approach your window and ask you where you are headed, they are not interested in your answer – they are observing the way that you look, smell, and speak in an effort to determine whether you pose a threat, are unreasonably nervous, or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. For this reason, it is best to say as little as possible during a traffic stop, as taking has much more potential to hurt you than it does to help you.

You’ve Been Accused of DUI – Now What?

For many people reading this blog, the information above will have come after they have been arrested for DUI and are currently facing charges. If you made the mistake of trying to talk your way out of a DUI, there is no reason to despair, as a lawyer may still be able to help you. For example, if the police lacked a legal justification for the initial traffic stop, it may be possible to have the statements that you made to the police suppressed, meaning they cannot be used against you in court. Similarly, if there were any errors during sobriety testing, it may be possible to have those results excluded from evidence. There are only two example of ways that an attorney may be able to help even if you admitted to drinking, and there are many other potential defenses that may be available. For this reason, anyone accused of drunk driving should have their case reviewed by a lawyer before making a decision about pleading guilty.

Call the Skinner Law Firm Today

If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you should call a lawyer as soon as you can. An attorney will carefully analyze the circumstances surrounding your traffic stop and arrest and determine whether any legal defenses may apply. Even if there are no defenses available to raise in your case, a lawyer will often be able to negotiate a more favorable plea agreement than you would obtain if you represented yourself. To schedule a free consultation with a DUI defense attorney in West Chester, PA, call the Skinner Law Firm today at 610-436-1410 or contact us online.

Article Author

Michael J. Skinner, the founder of Skinner Law Firm LLC, is a former prosecutor with the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.

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