Dos Donts

---

DUI Do’s and Don’ts

If you or someone you love is pulled over in Los Angeles for DUI, what ensues can be terrifying and confusing. A person may be so nervous and frightened that they may appear to be impaired even when they are not. It is important that, at this critical time, you understand what you should and should not do in order to ensure a favorable outcome from this situation. Larry Wolf is here to help.

---

When You Are Stopped for DUI

• Do: Remain calm, courteous, and polite and provide only your name, address, and documents such as license and registration.
• Don’t: Engage in a conversation with the officer or answer any questions regarding what you had been drinking or where you had been previous to being pulled over.

• Do: Refuse to take the preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) breath test.
• Don’t: Refuse to take the BAC breath or blood test; you could have your
  driver’s license suspended for 1 year. Instead, politely request that the BAC test be performed in a controlled environment by an individual who has been trained to accurately and professionally administer these types of tests.

• Do: Politely decline to take any field sobriety tests. These tests are not mandatory, and are subject to the bias of the officer, whose intent is to prove that you are intoxicated.
• Don’t: Become hostile or confrontational, simply assert your right to abstain from the field sobriety assessments that the officer may ask you to perform.

---

At the Police Station

• Do: Opt for either the blood or the breath test to determine if you had been under the influence of alcohol at the time that you were pulled over. In the case of a blood test, the blood sample can be saved and used at a later date for further evaluation and as evidence; while a breath test does not result in any evidence which can be independently tested at a later date.
• Don’t: It is not advised that you refuse this testing, as this could result in a 1-year license suspension.

• Do: Contact an experienced Los Angeles drunk driving lawyer if you are charged with DUI.
• Don’t: Assume that a lawyer will be provided for you, or that a public defender will have the knowledge and experience to resolve your case favorably.

---

When You Are Facing DUI Charges

• Do: Act quickly to begin fighting to keep your freedom and your license. You have only 10 calendar days from the time of your arrest to file for a DMV hearing to overturn your license suspension.
• Don’t: Assume that simply because your BAC was over the legal limit you will lose your license and face harsh penalties. A successful DUI defense attorney in Los Angeles such as Larry Wolf can help you prevail even when the odds seem to be against you.

• Do: Choose an attorney who specializes in drunk driving and has a demonstrated record of success with DUI cases such as Larry.
• Don’t: Make your selection based on which attorney is the cheapest or has the most ads on the Internet. The wrong choice could cost you everything.

• Do: Consult with a seasoned DUI attorney before entering a plea.
• Don’t: Plead guilty. If you plead guilty, you are losing any right to present a defense in a criminal trial. In addition, a guilty plea can have a negative impact on your driving record or any professional license.

---

You shouldn’t have to face DUI charges alone. As a highly skilled DUI defense attorney, Lawrence Wolf has been successfully defending the rights of men and women like you for over 40+ years. Request your free consultation online or call us at (310) 277-1707 today and get his experience on your side.

<< Back to the DUI Resource Center