If You're Stopped

If the unfortunate does happen and you get stopped by the police, there are some very important things you need to know before you ever get stopped, and these include what to do and most importantly, what not to do or say to the police. Lets talk a little about those strategies and tactics now.

If you find yourself getting pulled over, first, pull over well off the highway and off the road itself. This reduces the likelihood your vehicle will get towed if you get arrested. Next, get yourself together. Pop a mint or gum in your mouth. When the police officer comes up to the vehicle be sure you NEVER admit to drinking ANY amount of alcoholic beverages. Do not self incriminate yourself. Make the police officer do his job, don't help him out. Answer questions only when necessary. Believe it or not, you do have the right to remain silent. Be cooperative but do not give the officer any evidence to be used against you. If the officer suspects you have been drinking he may ask you to perform some oral tests like counting or reciting the alphabet. You must refuse these and any and all other tests. Yes, you can refuse to take these tests. For some reason people believe they must submit to the field sobriety tests and this is not true. You must refuse all oral and then actual field tests like walking the line, standing on one foot, following the pen with your eyes and any and all other tests. Simply tell the officer you are refusing all tests and are invoking your fourth amendment rights against self incrimination. You are trying to give the officer little or no probable cause to arrest you. Remember, an officer can only arrest a person with probable cause and in a DUI / DWI case, that probable cause is the field tests administered at the scene of the traffic stop. By refusing all tests, the officer is left with a couple of choices, he can let you go, call a ride for you or take you in for DUI / DWI. Believe me, the officer knows he is on shaky ground by arresting you without any or little probable cause other than his observations.