The weather is warming up, and you are ready to head out to the lake with your friends. Maybe you are planning to drink alcohol while you are out for the day or weekend. While there is certainly no harm in drinking with your friends–if you are of legal age–you should certainly not drink and drive afterward.
If law enforcement pulls you over after your trip to the lake, you are probably going to feel stressed and worried. Understanding what comes next may help. While every situation is different, here is how DUI stops usually work.
The stop
In most situations, a police officer will pull you over if he notices potential warning signs, such as swerving or a traffic violation. The officer must have probable cause for pulling you over. If there was no reason for law enforcement to suspect you of violating the law, you may be able to throw your case out with the help of a defense attorney.
Police questions
The officer will likely ask you if you had anything to drink prior to driving. It might be tempting for you to reply with an underestimation. Avoid saying anything such as, “I only had a beer or two with my dinner.” You might want to remain silent instead or explain you cannot recall how much you drank. If you admit to drinking any alcohol, it could come back to haunt you.
Roadside tests
If there is a reason to suspect you are drunk, law enforcement will attempt to confirm these suspicions with tests. One such test is a field sobriety test to determine your coordination, balance and visual acuity. The officer may also ask you to take a breath test. If you refuse the breath test, your license can be immediately revoked.
Depending on the results of these tests, the officer may arrest and detain you. In this case, be sure to contact a defense attorney as soon as possible. As always, think twice before driving after drinking at the lake.