| DUI laws are getting tougher all across the country. | | | | • Contact your lawyer at any time |
| The blood alcohol content (BAC) limits have gone | | | | • The right to a lawyer being present when |
| down, and the punishment rates have gone up. Getting | | | | you answer any questions |
| pulled over is one thing, but it's another when you have | | | | • If you cannot reach your lawyer, you have |
| to get out of the car and discuss things over with the | | | | the right to decline answering any questions at all |
| police, especially if they believe you may have been | | | | • Decline answering any questions if you are |
| drinking. An exception to this is if you have driven into | | | | taken into custody |
| a sobriety checkpoint. These are set up as roadblocks, | | | | • Decline to perform any field sobriety tests |
| and are designed as devices to promote public safety. | | | | (alphabet test, walk the line, eye test, and more). |
| Make no mistake: driving under the influence of drugs | | | | • Refuse to consent to a search of your car |
| or alcohol is a serious offense. But you do have rights | | | | or yourself unless arrested |
| if you are pulled over. | | | | • May leave if you are not placed under |
| Penalties for DUI include: | | | | arrest |
| • Points off your license | | | | • Must be advised that you are being placed |
| • Fines | | | | under arrest |
| • Insurance increases | | | | • Decline to give a breath test at the station |
| • Jail time | | | | until you have spoken to a lawyer |
| • Probation | | | | Many people have found themselves driving home |
| • Possible loss of employment | | | | from dinner or a night out, and then being arrested |
| Being charged with a DUI can be potentially life | | | | after having only a couple drinks. While there are |
| changing. However, if the police want to charge you, | | | | definitely drunk drivers on the road who are a menace |
| you need to know what your rights are so you can | | | | to others, many innocent people are pulled into the |
| protect them as soon as you are accused of DUI. | | | | system by harsh DUI laws. It is up to you to know that |
| Your Rights | | | | if and when you are caught up by the authorities and |
| • Decline answering any questions until you | | | | possibly arrested for suspicion of DUI, you still have |
| speak to a lawyer | | | | rights like anyone else. |