There is Not Any Such Occurrence as a Drunk Driving Curse

On November 28, 2009 in Uncategorized

An fascinating event occurred to me last night that I continue to observe occurring over and over again. I was at home and my brother-in-law dropped by to hang out. We are all messing about shooting the breeze and somebody made a wise crack about my being a DUI attorney. That is nothing novel, but it reminded me that I’d just had some new DUI and traffic exact business cards made up, so I went and grabbed them and attempted to pass them out.

The cards are cool, by the way. On the face is my name and information, like a conventional trade card would be, but on the reverse is some ludicrously high-quality data that everybody should possess (and I advise everyone to store this card in their van, just in case they are pulled over for something). It provides you five things to do if you are stopped by the police (now, keep in mind that I am a Seattle DUI defense attorney, so these regulations may not automatically be appropriate in your state):

1. Furnish the officer your license and registration and be quiet - say “my lawyer told me not to respond to that question.”

2. Don’t fall for the cop’s actions - stay quiet and polite.

3. Don’t do field sobriety tests or a portable breath test - ever.

4. If captured declare these words - “I would like to remain silent and talk with my attorney” - and nothing else.

5. Never assent to a search of anything - just utter no.

As I was attempting to give this priceless information to my brother-in-law, he said, with a straight face “I don’t desire that. It’s going to plague me into getting into danger.” I would have been bowled over if I hadn’t heard it in the past, but it got me to thinking that perhaps I should try to point out why he should want it.

First, there is no such thing as a plague. There is only dreadful fortune. In spite of what one may reason, you getting pulled over and investigated for Seattle driving under the influence is and will never be in any way connected to you taking my industry card.

Second, by declining this card, you are throwing away priceless information that could considerably decrease the possibility of a criminal guilty verdict if you are ever investigated and seized for drunk driving. Why put your head in the sand and stride into a situation unprepared when the data is right in front of you?

Third, if you in actuality don’t want to curse yourself, don’t drive drunk and you won’t have to worry regarding it. Not that my brother-in-law does (I see people in my law firm everyday who were most likely not too drunk to drive when arrested for DUI - only the laws make it nearly impossible to fight that). bear in mind that it is not against the law to drink and drive, it is only unlawful to drive drunk.

If you are reading this and you have a DUI defense attorney acquaintance that tries to give you his card because there is excellent data on it - seize it. Put it in your car. Read it and ask your pal questions. When you are stopped by the cops (and chances are it will occur some day) you can be equipped to fight for your rights.

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