Should you be involved in a DUI related accident, one of the best ways to defend yourself is to just say no. The investigating officer will ask you to do certain things. Just say no.
Field Sobriety Tests
The investigating officer will ordinarily ask you to perform standardized field sobriety tests. With an authoritative demeanor, the officer will ask you to perform these tests. Attorney Sean Druyon wants you to take notice that the officer is asking you to take field sobriety tests. The law doesn’t permit an officer to order you to take them. The officer already suspects that you’re under the influence. By performing these tests, you’re only giving the prosecution more evidence to convict you. The field sobriety tests will all be recorded on the officer’s dashboard camera and played for a jury. You have the right to refuse to perform any field sobriety tests. Invoke that right. Just say no.
Breath Testing
You might be asked to give a breath sample for alcohol analysis twice. The first time might be at the scene of the investigation. This is another field sobriety test. You have the right to refuse it. Just say no. The second time you’ll be asked to give a breath sample will be at the police station. You will be advised in writing of the possible legal consequences should you refuse to give a breath sample at the station. Notwithstanding any possible legal consequences for a refusal, refuse the blood alcohol breath test at the station. If indeed you are intoxicated, the printed slip that comes out of the machine after you give a breath sample raises a legal presumption that you’re intoxicated. It’s only more evidence that you’d be giving to convict yourself. Invoke your right not to provide a breath test under any circumstances. Just say no.
Immediately Retain an Attorney
If you’re arrested for a DUI in Utah, your driver’s license can be automatically suspended. You have a right to a hearing on the suspension, but you must invoke that right within 10 days of your arrest. By immediately contacting a law firm like Druyon Law, the attorney can take the necessary steps to preserve your right to a hearing on the suspension.
Don’t give the police and prosecutor the evidence they need to convict you of a DUI. Just say no, and contact an attorney at your first opportunity.
This article is from Lizzie Weakley, a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. She enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her three-year-old husky Snowball.
