10 Tips from an Atlanta DUI Lawyer if You are Stopped for DUI in Atlanta

1.     Be polite. If an officer pulls you over, always be polite. The prosecutor handling your case for the City of Atlanta is going to have a copy of the encounter on video. And if you take the case to trial, they are going to show a copy of that video to the jury. You want to look calm and polite.

The City of Atlanta Municipal Court is the starting point for almost every Atlanta DUI case.

2.     If you are pulled over, take your license out of your wallet before the officer comes to you and have it in a location where you can easily give it to the officer if they request it. In Atlanta DUI investigations the officer is looking to see if you have any issues retrieving your license. Do not let them use this against you.

3.     You DO NOT have to answer any of the officer’s questions. Anything you say to the officer is likely providing them evidence they can use against you later. Politely and respectfully assert your right to remain silent.

4.     If the officer asks you out of your vehicle, get out of your vehicle. The time to fight your Atlanta DUI arrest is in the courtroom.

5.     You DO NOT have to perform field sobriety evaluations. You have the right to say no.

6.     This includes a portable breath test on the side of the road. The officer will try and tell you the portable breath test only shows whether you are positive or negative for alcohol, but it does show a number. That number cannot be used against you as evidence at trial, but it may impact how a prosecutor sees your case.

7.     If you are arrested, do not resist. Comply with the officer’s instructions. Additional charges may hurt your ability to get the best outcome on your DUI case.

8.     Do not provide a blood or breath sample unless you are certain you are under the legal limit. This usually means zero drinks or one drink. In the event this is a DUI Drugs investigation, do not provide a blood or urine sample unless you are certain their no drugs in your system.

9.     If your license is taken because of the Georgia Implied Consent Law by either providing a blood, breath, or urine sample over .08 or refusing to take the State’s test, you have 30 days from the date of arrest to either appeal that suspension or obtain an ignition interlock device limited permit if you are eligible.

10.  All Atlanta DUI cases that do not also contain felony charges originate in the City of Atlanta Municipal Court located at 150 Garnett Street, Atlanta, GA 30303.

If you have any questions regarding this post, or are looking for an Atlanta DUI lawyer, call today at 678-753-6431 or submit the contact form on this site to schedule a free consultation. I would love to speak with you about your case.