If you are one of the unfortunate many, and have been stopped by law enforcement for DUI, the question becomes what happens next? This article discusses what you can expect if you are accused of driving under the influence.
The first thing that happens when you are stopped for suspected DUI is that the officer will ask you for your license, registration and insurance. The officer will take note as to how you obtain those items. For example, impaired drivers will often flip through their wallet and pass over their driver’s license several times before taking out their driver’s license. More importantly, the officer will be on the lookout for the odor of alcohol. Breath mints or mouthwash will not mask this odor. The officer will also look for bloodshot, watery eyes and listen for slurred speech.
If he detects those clues, then he will ask you whether you have been drinking. Please know that he only seeks confirmation of what he already suspects. An almost comically typical answer is a “couple of beers.” Some say that they have had nothing to drink. Regardless of the answer, the officer will most likely ask you to get out of the car. In fact, if the officer detects the odor of alcohol, watery eyes, etc. due diligence requires that he, at least, ask you to get out of the car. The officer will observe how you exit the vehicle since impaired drivers often (but not always) have trouble simply exiting the vehicle.
