DUI Arrest Scenarios in Jacksonville
At our law offices, we strongly advise everyone of one simple rule: if you are going to be driving later, don’t drink. If you know that you are going to drink, take a cab home or arrange for a designated driver ahead of time. Once you start, it can be hard to know exactly when to stop and it only takes one drink too many to end up in a precarious situation. But if you do ever find yourself pulled over for a DUI investigation, knowing what happens next can help you remain calm and make the right decisions.
- A police officer must have probable cause to conduct a traffic stop. That cause can come from observed behavior known to correspond with intoxication, such as weaving between lanes, stopping erratically, or running a red light. With that said, an officer can also stop you for unrelated offenses like a burnt-out brake light or expired plates.
- Once you’ve been stopped, the officer will conduct a verbal investigation. This will start with asking for your license and registration, and will involve small talk about where you have been and where you are going. All the while, the officer is looking for signs of intoxication—bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, or the odor of alcohol on your breath. It is usually in your best interests to answer the officer’s questions politely, but in as few words as possible.
- If your officer grows suspicious that you’ve been drinking, he may ask you to step out of the car to take a battery of field sobriety tests. You may be familiar with these tests—standing on one leg, counting backward, and walking in a line are all possibilities. What you may not know is that you are not legally required to take these tests. They are also notoriously inaccurate and subject to bias. If you wish, you may politely ask to speak to your lawyer instead.
- If you refuse the field sobriety tests, or if you submit and the officer decides that you have failed them, he may ask you to take a roadside Breathalyzer test. These are also known for inaccuracies, but there may be increased administrative penalties if you refuse (most notably a suspended license). Your Jacksonville DUI lawyer may be able to help you reverse your suspended license sentence, but the choice of whether to take this test or not is yours alone.
- If you refuse the breath test, or take it and test 0.08% BAC or above, you will be placed under arrest and taken to the station for processing. Remain calm and try to stay observant of everything that has happened. Were you read your Miranda rights? Were you observed for 20 minutes before taking your roadside breath test, as is required under law? The answers to these and more questions may be valuable for your lawyer later on.
Consult a Jacksonville DUI Lawyer if You Face Charges
As soon as you are able, contacting a Jacksonville DUI lawyer is critical. A good attorney can help you build a strong case and fight your charges aggressively. If you or a loved one has recently experienced a DUI arrest, you may feel helpless—but in fact, you have the power to beat your case. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a top Jacksonville DUI lawyer today.
