Posted by duijim in on December 3, 2018
A police chief in Milledgeville recently pled not guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. After the hearing occurred, the man climbed into his police vehicle to assume his job duties for the day. The man was previously arrested in August, 2018 for driving with his bright lights on in his vehicle.
Law enforcement later smelled the strong odor of alcohol coming from inside of the vehicle. The driver’s speech was also slurred and his eyes were bloodshot. The driver later agreed to a preliminary breath test, which resulted in a positive reading. The driver later asked law enforcement if he could take a breath test before placed into custody.
Immediately after the event, the chief was placed on administrative leave with pay pending. After the investigation, the police chief was suspended for a period of two weeks without pay. He also receive a six-month salary cut.
The Centers for Disease Control report that over one third of all traffic related deaths arise from drunk driving. For this reason, law enforcement takes DUI offenses very seriously. Being pulled over by law enforcement on suspicion of a DUI can lead to uncomfortable situations. Fortunately, there are several tips that you can follow while interacting with law enforcement to decrease the severity of the penalties you end up facing.
Do Not Drink and Drive
One mistake and sometimes even one drink is enough to place a person’s blood alcohol content over the limit. Not only can you end up facing serious penalties, if someone is injured or killed as a result of your driving, you can also end up facing long lasting feelings of guilt, losing your license, large fines, imprisonment, and increased insurance rates. The best way to avoid facing a DUI charge is to simply not drink and drive in the first place.
Know When to Refuse the Breathalyzer Test
It can be difficult to determine whether or not you should take a breathalyzer test. If the test determines that your blood alcohol content is above .08% (or, in a limited number of situations, a lower number), the resulting penalties can be severe. Deciding to refuse or accept the breathalyzer test can result in some particularly serious consequences. There are a few situations in which it might be better to refuse the breathalyzer test. If it is possible, speak with an experienced lawyer before the test is conducted.
Responding to Questions from Law Enforcement
If questioned by law enforcement, you are not required to say anything that might be incriminating. Most times, it is a wise idea to request to speak with your lawyer if law enforcement believes that you were stopped for a DUI.
How to Respond if Arrested
If you are arrested for driving under the influence, it is important to begin as soon as possible to gather evidence to support your case. Sometimes, this might mean having someone testify to law enforcement about whether you were intoxicated. Other times, it is helpful to challenge test results. Aa skilled DUI defense attorney can help make sure that you have the strongest defense possible.
Speak with a Skilled DUI Lawyer
Being convicted of a DUI can be a particularly frightening experience. This is why if you are charged with this offense, you should not hesitate to speak with a skilled attorney. If you find yourself facing DUI charges, do not hesitate to contact Yeargan & Kert, LLC today.