Tampa criminal attorneys, who specialize in DUI law, share a few words of advice for those people who think they can drink and drive.

 

Many local and state law enforcement agencies have police officers at several ends of the town setting up checkpoints in order to catch drunk drivers before they hurt themselves or kill someone.  They are not out to ‘get’ you or anyone else, they are there to make the roadways a safer place for everyone.

 

It is the law in nearly all 50 states that the blood alcohol content or BAC is now .08 which means different amounts of drinks for different sized people.  A large 250 plus pound man could have more to drink than a petite woman of 110 pounds.

 

Many people who are caught at DUI checkpoints have been at weddings or small intimate dinner party gatherings and have only had a few glasses of wine or one or two beers; however that’s all it takes for most people to become impaired behind the wheel of a vehicle.

 

If you know you have been drinking and are stopped at a DUI checkpoint, DO NOT sprits a quick shot of Listerine or Bianca because they both contain alcohol and can help to spike the Breathalyzer test results.

 

DO advise the police officer that you have your own counsel and when the police officer asks if you have been drinking tonight; politely refuse to answer any questions until you speak with your lawyer.

 

DO NOT cop an attitude; cooperate but DO NOT feel obligated to perform any roadside tricks.  You can usually refuse to take a “field sobriety test” – touching your finger to your nose, walking a straight line, standing on one leg – without repercussions.  A failure to pass these tests however will be used against you in a court of law according to criminal lawyers in Tampa.  Give up a urine sample because if you don’t it could be used as evidence of your guilt or cause your license to be suspended immediately.

 

Call your attorney as soon as possible and remember you could probably call 2500 cabs for the price of one good DUI attorney.