There is so much incorrect information circulated about what to do if you are pulled over and you have been drinking. As a prominent DUI attorney, I am absolutely astounded to hear non-lawyers try to give legal advice when they don’t have the slightest clue as to what they are talking about. For some reason, there are a lot of people who think they can lawyer their own case. I’m not sure where they gather this conclusion. If I needed knee surgery, I definitely would not try to operate on myself. Let’s leave the lawyering to lawyers.
The best advice I can give about DUI’s is: don’t drink and drive – even one drink is too many. That being said, no one is perfect and, from time to time, we make bad decisions. If you have been drinking and you are pulled over, never admit to drinking, do not perform any field sobriety tests, and do not blow into a PORTABLE breathalyzer. In my experience, it is human nature to try to talk yourself out of a bad situation. Officers lead people believe that honesty is the best policy and that if they cooperate, the office somehow will be more lenient. This is absolutely false! Police officers are liars and they are out to get people. The more you talk, the more information they have to support their DUI arrest.
If you have been pulled over and you have been drinking, provide the officer with your license and registration and politely tell them that you would like to speak to an attorney before answering any questions.
With all of this being said, if you are arrested for a DUI, AND ONLY AFTER YOU ARE ARRESTED, it is best for you to comply with a blood draw or blow into a FIXED breathalyzer at the station or DUI van. If you fail to comply, your license will be suspended and the police will get a warrant to take your blood. Therefore, after you are arrested, there is no benefit to refusing a blood alcohol concentration test.
There are many things that can go wrong with a DUI investigation. I am a well respected DUI lawyer who has achieved incredible results for my clients. I would be glad to speak to you 24/7 about your DUI case for free. Call my office for a free DUI consultation!
Author Bio
Matthew L. Lopez
Matthew L. Lopez is the Managing Attorney and founder of Matthew Lopez Law, a criminal defense and DUI firm serving clients throughout Arizona. His track record of case dismissals and charge reductions has earned him honors, including a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 nomination, a “Superb” 10/10 Avvo rating, and a Rising Star designation by Super Lawyers.
Matthew is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and holds active memberships with the Arizona Association for Criminal Justice and the Arizona Association for Justice. His firm handles criminal defense, DUI, drug charges, and traffic offenses, offering free consultations and affordable payment plans to make quality defense accessible to all Arizonans.
