3 Mistakes To Avoid When Arrested For DUI

Being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense that can have lasting implications if you are convicted. A DUI arrest should be taken seriously, and it is important to respond appropriately and promptly to the situation. Unfortunately, many people who are charged with DUI make a number of mistakes that can cause issues in the long run. Understanding the mistakes that many people make can help ensure that you take the proper steps if charged with DUI. Some of the most common mistakes that people make when they are charged with DUI include:

1. Not Paying Attention to Your Miranda Rights 

When a person is arrested for DUI or any other criminal offense, the arresting officer will read his or her Miranda Rights. One of the most important aspects of the Miranda rights is your right to remain silent. If a police officer plans to arrest you for a DUI, don't make the mistake of trying to explain yourself, offer details, or make excuses. Doing so will not help your case, and anything that you say at the time of the arrest can be used against you when the case goes to court. Be cooperative during a DUI arrest, but always exercise your right to remain silent, so you don't say anything incriminating.

2. Admitting Guilt or Assuming There Is No Hope

At the time of your arrest for DUI, never admit guilt, even if you have consumed alcohol and could possibly be above the legal limit for your state. You blood alcohol content will be measured at the time of the arrest, but not despair if the breathalyzer test comes back over the limit-- the machines used to administer a BAC test can be faulty or in need of calibration. Overall, it is important to note that an arrest is not a conviction-- the state prosecutor will have to prove beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law that you were actually driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances.

3. Not Hiring a Lawyer

The single biggest mistake that a person can make when charged with a DUI is not hiring a DUI lawyer immediately. If you want the best outcome possible, it is always in your best interest to hire legal counsel as soon as possible. An experienced DUI attorney will review the details of your arrest to make sure that everything was done according to law, look into the methods used to determine your BAC, and create a defense that will be used when you appear in court.