Reader’s Question:

I have not been caught drunk driving but I know a lot of people who have been arrested and charged with DWI here in New York. If ever I will be in the same situation, what are the things that I should do?

Ben

Brookhaven, NY

For someone who drinks and drive, you have to be aware that chances of being pulled over by the police are very high. Police officers are cracking down on drinking and driving and would use any lawful justification to pull you over in order to probe further if you are driving while impaired.

If you will be caught drunk driving in New York, as with most people, your first tendency is to cooperate as much as possible with the police officer; and that is very good. Be polite and cooperate with the officer, such as by tendering your driver’s license and registration as well as your proof of insurance. However, the second tendency for those pulled over is to convince the officer that officer they are not impaired over the legal limit or convince the officer that they should not be arrested. Keep in mind that this is absolutely the worst thing you can do because of the evidence you will end up giving the police officer. Whatever the police officer asks you, don’t answer any of those questions. Let the police officer know that you are happy to cooperate with him, but you wish to maintain your right to remain silent and not self-incriminate yourself as governed by the Fifth Amendment.

Tags: DWI lawyer