While it’s legal to drink alcohol in the United States, it’s illegal to get behind the wheel if you have too much of this substance in your system. And not only is it against the law, but it can also result in a serious motor vehicle accident.
The best way to avoid trouble is to never consume alcohol before getting behind the wheel. If you do this, you never have to concern yourself with a DUI arrest.
However, many people make the mistake of having too much to drink before driving. As a result, there’s an increased risk of trouble with the law, as well as an accident.
If an officer pulls you over, it won’t be long before they’re asking you questions in an attempt to determine if you’re under the influence. One of the most common questions is “Have you been drinking?”
The obvious answer is “no” but many people make the mistake of sharing too much information with police.
As tempting as it may be, you should never admit to having a drink. Even if you only admit to having one drink, you’re still providing evidence that could be used against you in the future.
The best thing you can do is politely refuse to answer the question. It won’t make the officer happy, but you have the right to remain silent.
The officer won’t believe you
Admitting to one drink doesn’t help you gain the trust of the officer. They won’t believe that you only had one, but instead will assume that you’re lying and are actually under the influence of alcohol.
When you neglect to answer this question, the officer is likely to take additional action. For example, they may ask you to exit your vehicle and partake in a variety of field sobriety tests.
If you’re arrested for driving under the influence, remain quiet as you’re put into the police vehicle, transported to a station and processed.
Once you’re released, turn your attention to the details of your arrest, the potential consequences of a conviction and how to protect your legal rights as you move through the court system.