The prospect of facing criminal charges can be daunting and can cause some people to act rashly. When it comes to drunk driving, a police stop may be daunting, particularly if you fear that you might fail sobriety or breath tests, resulting in a DUI charge. You have the option to refuse these tests,but that in itself can lead to the revocation of your driver’s license. Even so, whatever you decide to do, remaining calm and cooperative can be highly beneficial.
In Kingman, Arizona, a 26-year-old man had the opposite idea when deputies allegedly attempted to pull him over early one morning. According to the report, he failed to stop, causing officers to pursue him for some distance. Eventually he stopped, but reputedly was unwilling to leave his vehicle. He is also said to have been combative once deputies hadmanaged to get him out of the vehicle and he was being brought into the jail.
Several detention officers are reported to have been needed in order to get the suspect into jail. Subsequently, a blood sample was taken from him and sent for testing. The results of the lab analysis could affect the charges against him. Already, what would have been a misdemeanor DUI has escalated to a felony charge as a result of the driver’s allegedrefusal to cooperate.
It may feel difficult to comply when you have the worry of an investigation and possible conviction hanging over your head. However, keeping your composure also allows you to observe whether your arrest is carried out correctly. Any breach of protocol may be enough to invalidate the charges against you. An attorney can advise you on your rights and may beable to help you identify whether the correct procedures have been followed.
Source: Kingman Daily Miner, “Driver tries to dodge Mohave County deputies,” Doug McMurdo, July 3, 2014
