Being convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can result in a host of negative consequences including loss of driving privileges and a jail sentence. If you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer under the suspicion of doing so, there are several things you need to do to protect your rights until you are able to contact a DUI Attorney in Wichita, KS if necessary.
It’s important to remain calm and avoid acting suspiciously. Remain in your vehicle, and keep your hands on the steering wheel. Do not reach in your purse, bag, or glove compartment to search for documents unless and until the police officer asks you to do so. Speak to the officer in a polite manner. Behaving in a belligerent, aggressive, or threatening manner can result in additional charges being levied against you or worse.
According to the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, you cannot be compelled to testify against or otherwise incriminate yourself. This means you do not have to answer any questions the officer asks you, particularly if you feel your responses will help the officer build a case against you. Politely inform the police person that you are invoking your Fifth Amendment rights in response to questions you do not want to answer.
You also cannot be compelled by law to complete any field sobriety tests, and you should refuse to participate in them. However, the police officer may then ask you to do a breathalyzer test. It’s important to understand that you could be charged with a felony in Kansas if you refuse to consent to a breathalyzer. Additionally, refusal to participate in the test can also result in the immediate suspension of your driving privileges. A DUI Attorney in Wichita KS may be able to argue that the current laws regulating this issue imposes on your rights as a citizen as one lawyer successfully did in a recent court case in Sedgwick county that led to a judge ruling in favor of the defendant.
If you are arrested and charged with a DUI, then call a law firm like the Rocky Wiechman Law office right away. An attorney will immediately begin working on getting you out of jail and back home with your family, and then defend you against those charges in court.
