Los Angeles DUI Attorneys: Tips for Dealing with a DUI Investigation

These are some general guidelines to assist you if you are ever pulled over in Los Angeles, California after drinking before driving.  Remember, the easiest way to avoid having problems in the first place is to be responsible and have a designated drive anywhere in Los Angeles to avoid a DUI. If you drink, do not drink to excess. If you drink in Los Angeles, DO NOT DRIVE!!

In our experience, the majority of police reports, regarding DUI cases or something else, generally begin with someone who has consumed too much alcohol or some other illicit substance after a night out. I know finding a taxi can be difficult to find and expensive on busy nights, especially in Los Angeles. But remember, the price you pay in both time and money for a cab is a better bargain than the attorney's fees, court fines and fees, and a potential jail sentence if you get a court date to and Los Angeles court for DUI.

If you do happen to make the decision to drive after consuming alcohol, you can use the following 8 tips to help reduce your chances of being convicted of DUI in Los Angeles, California:

1. When you are questioned for DUI or drunk driving before arrest in Los Angeles, you are not in custody for purposes of Miranda warnings. If you politely refuse to answer any of the police officer's questions concerning the DUI investigation, either before or after arrest, then there will not be any statements that can be used against you in court. Even seemingly innocuous questions can be used by the prosecution to assist them in convicting you of DUI in Los Angeles.

2. Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) are completely voluntary in Los Angeles DUI cases. If you have been drinking, whether you perform the FSTs or not you will probably be arrested. It is probably better not to give the police evidence that will be used against you in court. You can politely refuse to do FSTs in Los Angeles. 

3. In Los Angeles, you are not required to submit to a pre-arrest preliminary alcohol screening test.  This being said, you are REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO A POST ARREST CHEMICAL TEST.  You have your choice between a breath or blood test unless the officer has probable cause to believe that drugs are involved or one of the tests is not available.  If you refuse a chemical test on a first offense, you will lose your license for 1 year. Plus, in California an officer can force you to submit to a blood test without your consent.  This results in a double whammy of a refusal enhancement and a known blood alcohol level.

4. Contact a friend or relative from jail as soon as possible so they can hear you speak and note your state of sobriety, this is a right you have in Los Angeles.

5. Always be polite and respectful to the police officers in Los Angeles. How you are perceived by a jury is extremely critical.

6.  Some jurisdictions video the arrest, breath testing and/or booking process. Always be on your best behavior anywhere in Los Angeles.

7. Make a detailed list of all the events before being stopped up to and including being released from custody.

8. Retain an experienced DUI drunk driving defense attorney in Los Angeles to represent you. Only an experienced DUI defense attorney in Los Angeles is able to spot your favorable issues and present them to a prosecutor, judge or jury in any court.

Remember, the best way to avoid a DUI or drunk driving conviction in Los Angeles is to not drink and drive. Purchasing a portable breath test machine can also be of benefit. Unfortunately, the way our laws are going even if you've had a small amount of alcohol and you are not impaired, as long as you smell like alcohol your chances of being arrested are very high. However, being arrested for DUI in Los Angeles does not automatically result in a conviction or loss of your driver's license. The above tips are designed to provide accurate and authoritative information. They are not designed to render legal opinions.