10 Things to do if you’re stopped for DUI/DWI after that New Year Eve/Day Party
2022 is almost here but being charged with drunk driving in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, however, isn’t the way to end the year and start the new one! An arrest and a conviction for drunk driving will make your life very complicated in 2022 as it will result in legal fees, a drivers’ license suspension and possible jail. A DUI/DWI conviction will further compound your situation administratively, financially and professionally.
Not only are you facing criminal charges, a DMV hearing, and a license suspension but you may also be looking at thousands of dollars in fines, fees and court costs. While it is common knowledge that driving after drinking alcohol is obviously against the law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey people still do it everyday.
10 Thing to Do if You’re Stopped for DUI/DWI
Here are 10 things you should do (and not do) if you have been pulled over for a DUI in PA or NJ on New Year’s Eve or any time:
1. Once police are behind you and flash their lights carefully pull over to side of the road using your turn signal.
2. As the police officer, or officers, approach your vehicle stay inside the vehicle with your hands on the steering wheel.
3. Be courteous, polite and cooperate with police.
4. Once the police officer asks for it, produce your driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
5. You do not have to answer any questions.
6. If the police officer asks if you have been drinking calmly say that you are claiming or invoking your Fifth Amendment right.
7. If and when you are asked to take a chemical test or blood alcohol test, you do not have the right to refuse that test. Never refuse a chemical test! It will not help your case! Due to Pennsylvania’s and New Jersey Implied Consent Law you must take the test. Otherwise, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended for a period of 12-18 months. The period of suspension is determined by your previous DUI history.
8. Do not get out of your vehicle unless you are asked to. If you’re asked to get out try very hard not to stumble or fall when getting out.
9. Refuse any and all field sobriety tests. These are not required under Pennsylvania or New Jersey law. You can fail these tests for numerous reasons even if you are completely sober such as having poor balance, poor vision and or a medical condition such as diabetes or hypoglycemia.
10. If you’re ultimately arrested for DUI in New Jersey or the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. speak with an experienced DUI lawyer at once. Take the first step towards protecting your rights and driving privileges.
Final Word – What to remember about drunk driving, impairment, and intoxication
How Your Brain Reacts to Alcohol
Remember that tolerance and impairment are different. If a person’s body and brain are regularly subjected to alcohol, a change develops within the body to enable a person to adapt better to the presence of alcohol. The average person metabolizes a drink (.6 ounces of ethanol) within ninety minutes after consumption.
A person, however, who consumes alcohol on a more regular basis will break down that alcohol more rapidly than a person who rarely drinks. The chemistry within a body’s liver produces enzymes that break down the alcohol.
Your Liver & Intoxication
More frequent consumption of alcohol forces the liver to become more efficient in breaking down the alcohol and therefore drinkers need to drink more alcohol in order to get this same intoxication effect (you need more to actually feel drunk). This behavior doesn’t change a person’s BAC level. In addition to the liver, the brain develops tolerance to alcohol when it is regularly exposed to it. More of a tolerance leads to less for a dulling effect on alertness but again this doesn’t affect one’s BAC level.
So what does affect your BAC level?
- The number of drinks
- How fast you drink
- Gender – females have less water, more fat and therefore a higher BAC on avg
- Bodyweight – more weight = more water in your body = alcohol dilution
- Food – eating slows down alcohol absorption
- Body Type – More body fat = a higher BAC
- Hydration = less hydrated = BAC rises quicker and longer
- Mixers – water and juice slows alcohol absorption while carbonation (soda) speeds it up)
Contact Philadelphia DUI Defense Attorney Alfonso Gambone for a free consultation. As your attorney Mr. Gambone will do everything in his power to get you an acquittal or have your charges dropped or dismissed. If success at trial isn’t an option, he will do everything necessary to minimize the consequences of your pending charges.
Mr. Gambone serves the Philadelphia and South Jersey areas. This includes Abington, Atlantic City, Bristol, Broomall, Cherry Hill, Doylestown, Media, Norristown, Philadelphia, Salem, Upper Darby, Upper Merion, Upper Providence and Vineland.
