People often ask how they can avoid a DUI charge. Some are just curious while others want to know if there’s a way to escape the consequences of driving while drunk. No right-thinking individual would ever encourage drivers to get behind the wheel when they’re intoxicated. Driving while under the influence of either drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous, and it can result in catastrophic or fatal accidents.
The obvious way to avoid a DUI charge is to not get behind the wheel if you’ve used an intoxicating substance. Alcohol can remain in your system for hours after you stop drinking and marijuana metabolites can stay in your body for up to 30 days. That being said, there are things that drivers can do to avoid being unfairly targeted or wrongly accused of a DUI. That’s what we’ll discuss in this blog post.
It’s important to note that you can be prosecuted for a DUI even if your blood alcohol concentration levels are below .08. If your driving is impaired, the police can charge you regardless of what your BAC is. Even if your ability to drive safely is impaired because of prescription medication, you can face charges. Even if you’re completely sober, certain factors could cause the police to pull you over. If you get arrested, you need to contact a DUI attorney in Portland.
How to Avoid an Unnecessary Investigation, Arrest or Prosecution
No one wants to be stopped by police. Getting pulled over can be even more frustrating if you don’t think you’ve done anything wrong. Here’s how you can avoid attracting the attention of officers as you make your way around Portland.
- Drive within the speed limit. Whether you’re going 15 miles over the posted limit for the areas or just two miles, the police may stop you. When an officer pulls you over, they’ll begin looking for signs that you’re intoxicated.
- Make sure your lights are all working, and your license tags are up to date. Police officers who patrol at night are often looking for a reason to pull over vehicles and carry out a DUI probe. However, they need reasonable grounds to stop a driver. If you aren’t driving recklessly or speeding, they may look to see if anything is wrong with your vehicle. Be sure to check your taillights, headlights, and license plate lights before you drive off.
- Obey traffic lights and stop signs. Even if the road is clear or it’s late at night, you should do what is legally required. Stop when you’re supposed to, drive within your lane, and signal when you’re about to turn.
- Be careful when leaving the parking lot of a bar. Police officers sometimes wait outside bars and keep an eye on drivers who are leaving. This may seem unfair but it’s legal. Officers know it’s highly likely that anyone driving out had some amount of alcohol. It won’t be difficult to turn a traffic stop into a DUI investigation. Drive very carefully when you’re leaving a bar and don’t give the police a reason to stop you.
- Be polite and cooperative if you get pulled over. If the officer asks for your license and registration, hand it over. Respectfully decline to answer questions about where you’re coming from, where you’re going or whether you had a drink. The officer may make it seem like it’s just a conversation but in reality, they’re looking for signs that you committed a crime.
- Assert your right to decline a field sobriety test. Despite what the officer may say, you’re not mandated to walk in a straight line or stand on one leg. It’s easy to fail these tests even if you haven’t had a drop to drink so you shouldn’t take the chance.
- Call a lawyer if the officer requests a breath test. You may be breaking the state’s implied consent law if you refuse to take a chemical test. The law says officers can request a test if they have reasonable grounds for suspecting a DUI and they arrest the driver. However, the police must give you 15 to 20 minutes to contact an attorney or another individual of your choice before you take the test. When you explain the circumstances to a Portland DUI lawyer, they will tell you how to proceed.
Reach Out to the Attorneys at the Trilogy Law Group!
If possible, you should always contact an attorney within 24 to 48 hours of your arrest. Don’t wait until you’ve made your first court appearan,ce to get legal representation. There’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to avoid arrest but you can ensure you get the best legal representation possible. Assert your right to remain silent and call the Portland DUI attorneys at the Trilogy Law Group.
