Driving Under the Influence: Can You Refuse to Cooperate?

In Indiana, DUI’s are one of the most commonly charged offenses throughout the state. These criminal charges are very serious and can lead to very serious consequences. These consequences include huge fines, loss of license, your job could be at risk, and you can even face up to a year in jail. With so many negative consequences, many people choose not to risk getting pulled over while driving impaired, and make arrangements and the right choice to not do it at all. With this criminal charge being such a common one, however, it is clear that many people in Indiana choose otherwise and drive impaired despite the risk of the consequences.

Many people think that if they refuse to take a breathalyzer and sobriety test that their circumstances and consequences will lessen. This is a very bad misconception, and not cooperating and taking the sobriety and breathalyzer test after being pulled over is an automatic one year suspension of your license. This suspension only increases if this is your 2nd or 3rd offense.

Police officers are allowed to make the assumption that your refusal simply meant that you knew you were going to fail. If you ended up doing well on this test, however, it could have actually helped your case in court.

Also, what many people might not know is that often times police officers now simply get a warrant if you refuse to take the sobriety test. This results in the automatic one year suspension for refusal, and they have your blood alcohol content to also charge you with a DUI.

It is way better to be safe than sorry. Many people don’t realize how easy it is to get their blood alcohol content up to a .08. Always make prior arrangements for rides, and if that isn’t possible or if you drank more than initially anticipated, you can always get a taxi or an Uber home. With attorney fees, court costs, monthly probation fees, and other fines, it is not worth it at all. These fees can exceed up to 5,000 dollars.

If you are arrested for drunk driving, you do still have the right to a criminal defense lawyer that can fight for your case and help lessen your charges. Call The Bellinger Law Office drunk driving attorneys today at 260-428-2214.