Posted On: November 26, 2009
5 Tips for Avoiding a California DUI this Thanksgiving Holiday
With every holiday comes increased California DUI patrols. Law enforcement beefs-up its patrol units to ensure that extra officers are visible to the public…both as a way of discouraging people from drinking and driving and to arrest those who they believe are DUI.
If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being stopped for a California DUI investigation, try to keep the following tips in mind…they won’t necessarily get you out of a DUI arrest, but they will make it more difficult for the prosecution to convict you of DUI.
- Be polite and respectful to the officer, no matter what.
- Politely refuse the field sobriety tests (FSTs). Contrary to popular belief, these tests are not mandatory and rarely, if ever, help a DUI suspect.
- Politely refuse to submit to a preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) test. Similar to FSTs, a PAS test is voluntary…unless you are under 21 or are currently on probation for a California DUI.
- Do submit to a chemical DUI blood or breath test after you have been arrested…unless you don’t mind losing your California driver’s license for a minimum of one-year and spending at least 48 hours in a county jail. And finally,
- Exercise your Constitutional right to remain silent. Although it’s contrary to human nature not to try to defend oneself, please resist all temptation to do so. Any statements you make can and will be used against you to incriminate you and/or attack your credibility.
Be safe everyone. Happy Thanksgiving!
