In most states if you are suspected of drunk driving, you must take a blood alcohol content test such as a breathalyzer when asked to do so by police or face very harsh penalties. But police must have reasonable suspicion that you have been drinking before they can ask you to take a BAC test.

To establish reasonable suspicion police use a range of questions and DUI pre-screening or field sobriety tests. You are not required to answer the questions or to participate in any of the tests. If you do go along with these tests you are only giving the officer the reasonable suspicion he or she needs to require you to take a BAC test.

Read the rest of this entry »

A DUI conviction can have a lasting negative impact on your life. If you choose to drive after having even one drink be cautious and follow these common sense guidelines to avoid being stopped by police on suspicion of DUI.

If you are driving with any measurable amount of alcohol in your blood, even an amount well within the legal limit, and a police officer is prepared to testify that you were impaired, you can be convicted of drunk driving.

This means that if you stop for even just one drink with friends on the way home from work you could lose your driving license, and gain a criminal record. Here are some ways to avoid a DUI stop by police.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you are arrested on suspicion of DUI in California or elsewhere, you will be asked to take a chemical blood alcohol content (BAC) test at the police station or medical facility to which you are taken after your arrest.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you are stopped in California or any other state on suspicion of DUI you may be asked to take a breath test at the roadside. (Note that officers must have reasonable suspicion, or probable cause to make a DUI stop.)

Read the rest of this entry »

When stopped on suspicion of DUI in California or any other state, officers may ask you to take a field sobriety test. This test is conducted before an arrest for DUI an/or DWI. Its purpose is to help officers determine if you are in fact driving under the influence.

Read the rest of this entry »