You can make your DUI stop much more complicated if you provide too much information to the officers and enable them to seek out evidence against you. In the heat of the moment, it can be very nerve wracking to speak to a police officer, even if you believe that the officer has made a mistake.
Answering too many questions and giving too much information can be very difficult but maintaining your calm and knowing what to say and what not to say can save you. Even if you’ve talked your way out of a parking ticket or speeding ticket in the past, a DUI is not a minor traffic violation. The following things are unlikely to help you in the event that you’ve been pulled over for DUI.
These include:
- I wasn’t planning to drive but I had no choice.
- It was a special occasion and I don’t usually drink.
- I’ve only had a couple of drinks.
- I am not drunk.
While you may be sympathetic if another person, like a friend, were to give you one of these excuses, you cannot expect the same sympathy from a police officer in the state of Delaware. Bear in mind that in addition to making these statements and possibly coloring the officer’s perception of whether or not you were drinking and driving, anything you say can and will be used against you.
The only thing that you should say after being pulled over is, I am choosing to remain silent and I would like to speak to my attorney as soon as possible. Talking to an attorney will give you a better perspective on how to protect yourself and how to avoid many of the most common missteps and mistakes.
