Make no mistake, being stopped by law enforcement is no laughing. Unfortunately, if police have reasonable suspicion that you are driving while intoxicated (DWI), then they will stop you for further investigation.
If you are stopped for a drunk driving investigation, it is important to appreciate that your case (or defense) will begin right there and then. Thus, your actions or inaction might work against you should you go to trial. Here are two common, yet costly, mistakes you really want to steer clear of during a DWI stop.
Refusing to stop
When law enforcement pulls you over, it is in your very best interest that you slow down to a safe spot and stop the vehicle. Refusing to stop, or fleeing the police is considered a misdemeanor and a conviction can lead to fines and jail time. Besides, you could also end up with 3 years on probation. And this is not all, your DWI will not go away either. In other words, fleeing the police can only compound your troubles.
Refusing to cooperate
This might be a tricky one. However, when the police stop you, they will ask a couple of questions, like your name and driver’s ID. They will also ask you to take a field sobriety test and/or a breathalyzer test. It is important that you cooperate to this extent. Refusing to yield to the Breathalyzer test, for instance, could lead to trouble.
However, if the police ask whether you have been out drinking or the number of beers you had, be careful how you answer these questions. While these may seem like rhetorical questions, an affirmative answer could amount to an admission to drunk driving, which might haunt you down the road.
Drunk driving is a serious offense with severe legal and personal consequences if you are convicted. Find out how you can safeguard your rights and interests if you are stopped for DWI in New York.
