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You decided to enjoy the weekend with a couple of your friends and had a couple of drinks during dinner. It has been a few hours since you had alcohol, and you assume it is okay to drive now. Then you were pulled over by the police officer for making a minor traffic violation. The police officer smelled the odor of alcohol on your breath and thought you had slurred speech. You were ordered out of your vehicle and offered the field sobriety test, essentially an agility test that police officers use to determine the impairment. The police officer, in his DUI Checklist, noted every tiny flaw in your performance even though you thought you had done well on each test. You did not sway once. You believe you completed both the walk-and-turn test and the one-leg stand flawlessly. 

PERFORMING THE FIELD SOBRIETY TEST

      Let us assume you did perform the field sobriety test without a flaw and even have video footage to prove it. You will be surprised to know that you could still be arrested for DUI. Want to know why? The initial statements you made to the police officer significantly impact what kind of a DUI case could be built against you. The very moment a police officer stops you, he is looking for clues indicating impairment and starts collecting evidence that will be used against you in court. You do not have to answer any questions that may cause you to look guilty. Saying something suspicious instead of not answering the question may result in a DUI/DWI conviction. Do not volunteer information either. 

Stay Calm

Do not panic. Try to stay calm and politely follow all instructions. You may be angry because the police pulled you over for a possible DUI but losing your calm won’t help you. Complying with the officer’s command may prove to be beneficial eventually. 

Though you are not required to take a preliminary field sobriety test, and there are no legal consequences for refusing the test, the police officer will use the test results to determine the probable cause of whether you are intoxicated. Even if you do not give away any sign of intoxication, if you smell like alcohol, have bloodshot eyes, and admit to the police officer that you have been drinking before driving, the police officer will still arrest you for a DUI. Still, it is in your best interest to politely refuse a field sobriety test, as it will provide more probable cause to prove that you were intoxicated. 

If you are still arrested, know your rights. Contact attorney Anton Karpov and 757 Defense to ensure you get the best criminal lawyer in Virginia Beach. 

How 757 Defense could help

If you are facing a DUI case, you need skilled representation immediately. Police often do not have your legal best interests at heart, and they may actively try to get you to say something that will cause you trouble later. 

757 Defense will ensure you get the best criminal lawyer in Virginia Beach, protecting your rights and having the aggressive representation you deserve. Our award-winning firm takes a strategic and compassionate approach to every case. There is no need to spend the weekend dealing with legal problems like this by yourself. Call us at (757)907-9075 or fill out our contact form as soon as possible to discuss your case.