Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is charged in Greeley and Weld County when a person is accused of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Our firm has handled hundreds, if not thousands of DUI and DWAI cases, and there are 3 things that we ALWAYS advise you do not do if you are ever pulled over and officers suspect you are driving after consuming alcohol. Those three things include: Voluntary Roadsides, Portable Breathalyzer and Admitting to Drinking. Let’s take a closer look at each of these items.
1. Voluntary Roadside Maneuvers / DUI Tests: Just Say No!
The roadside tests that a Greeley Police Officer or Weld County Sheriff Deputy will ask you to participate in are complicated, difficult to complete even for a sober person, and subjective at best. These tests are designed for failure. All they do is give law enforcement a stronger case against you. They may feel like they don’t really have probable cause to arrest you, but once you ‘fail’ a few of the roadside maneuvers, they have all the ‘proof’ they need. The roadsides are voluntary – don’t be swayed by the manipulative statements the officers will make to try and convince you to do them – JUST SAY NO!
2. Portable Breathalyzer / Preliminary Breath Test (PBT): Another Voluntary DUI Test to Say No to
Another voluntary roadside test you may be asked to participate in is the portable breathalyzer. This is NOT the same as the express consent blood or breath test you will be asked to do AFTER an arrest. This is, again, a fishing expedition to get more evidence against you. These roadside breathalyzers are not official readings and are often inaccurate. You don’t want to leave things to chance on a small device that is not regularly calibrated.
3. Don’t Admit to Drinking!
A question a Milliken or Mead Police officer will almost always ask is how much you have had to drink. NEVER admit to drinking. Even if you truly only had one beer hours ago and you are a safe and sober driver – that admission will give them all they need to arrest you. They don’t hear anything beyond the admission of alcohol consumption.
If you or someone you love has been charged with DUI or DWAI, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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