Costly Mistakes During a DUI Stop
Getting pulled over by the police is stressful, especially if you are suspected of Operating While Intoxicated
We get it—being pulled over on suspicion of DUI is stressful. Blue lights flashing in your rearview mirror can send anyone’s heart racing. At that moment, people often panic and start talking way too much. Always remember this: what you say or do can absolutely come back to bite you.
Keep the following mistakes in mind and, if you are arrested, never delay in contacting an experienced DUI defense lawyer at Dogan & Dogan Attorneys at Law.
Mistake #1: “I Only Had a Couple Beers...”
Don’t say this. Ever.
Telling the officer you had “two beers” or “just a glass of wine with dinner” might sound innocent, but you’re actually handing them evidence that can be used against you. The moment you say it, you’re essentially admitting that you’ve been drinking, and that's all they need to escalate the situation.
Even if you did only have one or two drinks, it’s not your job to explain that. And honestly, it won’t help. Officers have heard it all before, and they’re trained to dig deeper once you open that door.
Mistake #2: Getting Defensive or Aggressive
If you’ve been pulled over and you’re angry, scared, or frustrated, it’s easy to let those emotions take over. But here’s the truth: arguing with the officer, refusing to get out of the car, or being generally hostile is a huge mistake. It gives the officer another reason to arrest you, and they might even tack on additional charges like resisting arrest or obstruction.
Even if the stop feels unfair or you believe the officer is fishing for evidence, don’t escalate the situation. You’re not going to win that battle on the side of the road. You may be filmed on a dashcam or body cam, and that footage could be shown to a judge or jury later.
Remember: Cool, calm, and collected beats confrontational every time.
Mistake #3: Overexplaining or Trying to Talk Your Way Out of It
When people panic, they tend to ramble. They think that if they can explain enough, it’ll somehow smooth everything over. Unfortunately, in most DUI stops, it won’t.
The more you talk, the more opportunities you give the officer to build a case against you. Even innocent-sounding comments can become incriminating. Things like:
- “I’m not familiar with this area; I wasn’t sure where to turn.”
- “I’m just tired from work; that’s why my driving might’ve looked off.”
- “It might be my meds, but I didn’t know.”
Sound familiar? Officers and prosecutors love statements like these, and they’ll use them to prove that you were aware of impairment and got behind the wheel anyway.
What To Do Instead
Here’s a better game plan if you ever find yourself in this situation:
Stay Quiet
- You have the right to remain silent. Use it. You’re not being rude or uncooperative by choosing your words carefully or saying nothing at all. In fact, staying quiet is often the smartest move you can make. Politely decline to answer questions about where you’ve been or what you’ve had to drink.
- You can say: “I’d prefer not to answer any questions without an attorney present.”
- That’s it. You’ve now protected yourself without being confrontational.
Follow Procedures
- Cooperate with the basic stuff. Provide your license, registration, and proof of insurance. If the officer asks you to step out of the vehicle, do so calmly. Don’t argue. Don’t roll your eyes. Don’t make sarcastic comments (we know it’s tempting).
Call a DUI Attorney
- The moment you’re pulled over, or as soon as possible afterward, you need a DUI attorney on your side. And not just any attorney. You want someone who knows how DUI (also known as OWI, or Operating While Intoxicated) cases work, how police reports are written, and how breathalyzer results can be challenged.
Give the DUI attorneys at Dogan & Dogan in Portage, Indiana a call today to get started on your defense, or feel free to reach out to us online.
