What To Do If Stopped

What To Do If Stopped by a Police Officer

Protect Your Rights During and After an Illinois Traffic Stop

If you've been pulled over by a law enforcement officer who suspects you of drunk driving, don't just casually tell the officer you've had a few beers or a glass of wine because this admission to drinking can and will be used against you. Making statements like this can make your case much more difficult to defend for your DUI defense attorney. After all there may be other factors that affect your behavior. For instance, you could be tired or you may have a physical disability that explains why you are acting the way you are. Even innocent statements like where you are going, the direction of travel you are headed in, or what time it is can lock you in to those answers at trial and harm your case.

At Jerald Novak & Associates, I have helped thousands of people resolve their DUI charges successfully. Call 847-223-2285 for a free consultation or contact us online. From offices in Grayslake, Illinois, my firm serves clients throughout Will County, DuPage County, Lake County and northern Cook County.

Don't Give Away Your Rights

There are several different actions you can take after being stopped to protect your rights and avoid mistakes.

For one thing, it's important to remember that human beings are individuals. How a person responds to field sobriety tests, for example, can depend on many factors, including physical disabilities, corrective footwear, a bad back that creates balance problems, or the presence of an inner ear infection. What you want to do is give your attorney the maximum chance to defend your case without being locked into certain statements or actions that can too easily be misinterpreted and used against you.

Don't Admit to Drinking

The experienced defense lawyers at Jerald Novak & Associates advise people who have been stopped by the police not to answer any question other than name or address. We also recommend that you refuse to participate in field coordination tests, or submit to breath, blood or urine testing. The reason we give this advice is simple. Anything you say, and anything you do, the police will try to use against you. Even the innocent statements or remarks will be used against you.

Think of it this way, using breath tests as an example:
If you don't blow, they don't know.

Sure, they could suspend your license for refusing to blow but by refusing a breath test you have given them no evidence of impairment or intoxication. If you do blow into the device, you'll get a shorter license suspension but you've given them powerful evidence of your guilt. Whether you submit to the test or not, in many cases, we can obtain a driving permit that will allow you to drive during the suspension (with ignition interlock monitoring device).

We know you may have many other questions. Please see our FAQ.

Contact a Lake County DUI Defense Attorney

If you need a strong defense against DUI charges, contact Jerald Novak & Associates. I don't just say I can help with your Illinois DUI defense, I prove it.