Getting pulled over for suspicion of DWI can be a nerve-wracking experience. What will happen next? Will you be arrested?
We will discuss your rights and the steps that you should take to protect yourself if you’re ever in this situation.
Your rights during a DWI stop
If you are stopped for suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI), remaining calm and cooperative is the best course of action. The officer will likely ask you to perform a few field sobriety tests. It is important to remember that these tests are voluntary, and you have the right to decline politely. Field sobriety tests are often subjective and easy to fail – but a police officer can still use them as evidence against you.
The officer may also ask you to take a Breathalyzer test to measure your blood alcohol content. Again, you have the right to refuse this test, but doing so will result in an automatic license suspension under North Carolina’s ‘implied consent law.
It is important to remember that you have the right to remain silent during a DWI stop, and you should exercise this right. Your silence cannot be held against you – but anything you volunteer certainly can.
A DWI conviction can significantly impact your life, resulting in costly fines, the loss of your driver’s license and even jail time. If you have been charged with DWI, it is important to take the charges seriously and seek experienced legal help right away.
