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Must you talk to the police if you’re pulled over for a DUI?

On Behalf of | Apr 17, 2021 | DUI |

Florida drivers who are pulled over under the suspicion of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol may wonder if they have to speak to the police. Some individuals may not want to speak to the police to help avoid saying anything that may incriminate them in a court of law. However, it’s important to understand what your rights are and what the law specifies you must do.

Producing identification

You will need to agree to produce necessary identification documentation in the event that you’re pulled over. This type of documentation includes a license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. It doesn’t matter if you’re pulled over under suspicion of a DUI or speeding. You must supply this information if an officer specifically asks for it.

Answering questions

When it comes to pulling a person over, police officers are trained to ask specific questions when they approach the vehicle. Apart from asking you to provide your identification, they may ask you if you’ve been drinking or where you’re coming from. You are within your full legal right to refuse to answer these questions. This is because the Sixth Amendment allows you the right to counsel when speaking to law enforcement.

While you can legally refuse to answer questions, it’s always advisable to do so in a polite manner. Politely let the officer know that you are declining to answer questions because you don’t want to speak without your lawyer present. In most cases, this will trigger the officer to stop asking questions.

Being pulled over for a DUI is not something that any person wants to deal with. However, understanding what your rights are can help to protect you from making mistakes that can be used against you later on.