Charged With a DUI? Know Your Rights.
In an automobile, you are subject to a greater amount of contact with law enforcement than anywhere else. 
It is there where your constitutional rights are the most vulnerable.
That's why it is important to know your rights if you have become the subject of a drunk driving arrest. From my Tucson, Arizona office, I have years of experience representing clients in DUI cases. I stay current on trends in DUI litigation and I know what to look for to determine if a client's rights have been violated.
Drivers Have Rights Too
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In my experience as a DUI lawyer, I have found that many people don't know their rights upon being stopped by the police. If you are stopped by the police at any time, be sure to follow these simple guidelines:
- Always stop for a police officer. Pull off as soon as possible in a well-lit location where both you and the officer can safely exit the roadway.
- Be respectful, but don't make any statements. Have your license, insurance and registration ready when the officer gets to your door. Tell the officer your name, but don't answer any other questions. Talking can result in testimony of slurred speech, etc. Remember, no matter how nice the officer is, he is not your friend. He is gathering evidence against you at all times while he is with you.
- Be cooperative but do not submit to any field sobriety tests. If you have not been arrested, you are not required by law to submit to a preliminary breath test, a walk and turn test, the eye test (called HGN), the one leg stand test, or any other field sobriety test. Upon arrest, however, you will be required to take either a breath or blood test.
- If you are arrested, ask to call an attorney. If the officer asks you any questions, do not answer. Keep asserting that you want an attorney, even if you are arrested at night or on a weekend when one might not be available.
- Once you are placed under arrest, take the breath or blood test. There is no reason to lose your license for a year. Do not chat with any officer; a simple yes or no is sufficient.
As a former partner in the Arizona DUI firm Nesci, St. Louis and West, I have several years of training and experience fighting for clients charged with DUIs. Whether you are a first-time or repeat offender, or whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony DUI, I can represent you.
Schedule a Meeting With An Experienced Attorney
For knowledgeable and thorough representation in your DUI case, call 520-468-6791 or contact me online for a free initial consultation. From my office in Tucson, I represent clients throughout Southern Arizona.