Memorial Day is Coming, and so are DUI Checkpoints

Memorial Day is coming soon, bringing with it the promises of sun, fun, and summertime activities. Unfortunately, Memorial Day weekend is prime time for DUI checkpoints, which can quickly turn a day or night of fun into very a stressful experience. In preparation for Memorial Day weekend and the DUI checkpoints that are sure to be set up throughout Kansas, here are a few helpful tips regarding DUI checkpoints.

While a DUI checkpoint may be set up at any time of day or night, be aware that checkpoints are more likely to be present late at night or early in the morning. Also, while some states consider DUI checkpoints to be unconstitutional, illegal, or both, they are considered to be both constitutional and legal in Kansas.

Being prepared for your encounter with law enforcement at a DUI checkpoint can make the difference between being allowed through and being detained for investigation. Your attitude towards the law enforcement officers who are working at the DUI checkpoint is a major factor in what your experience at the checkpoint will be like. It is possible to have a polite and cooperative attitude without offering up information which could later be used against you. Stick to the basics, and provide the officers with information regarding your identity, insurance, and registration when those items are requested of you.

Many drivers get themselves into trouble unnecessarily because they do not realize that they may respectfully decline to answer questions about where they are coming from or going to, and whether they have been drinking, without incurring consequences for doing so. Likewise, you may decline to participate in field sobriety tests without being penalized for doing so. It is essential that you resist the urge to perform the tests in order to “prove” your sobriety, because the tests are designed for you to fail. Even individuals who are perfectly sober can fail field sobriety tests, because the determination of whether you pass or fail depends upon the judgment of the officer. Whether you are naturally clumsy, wearing high heels, or just plain nervous, you may exhibit behavior that the officer deems evidence of intoxication.

While it is always good to hope for the best as you approach a DUI checkpoint, it is also essential that you be prepared for the worst case scenario, an arrest. If you are arrested at a DUI checkpoint, be sure to exercise your right to remain silent, and respectfully ask the officer to let you speak with your attorney. Also, remember that it is in your best interest to participate in any blood tests or breath tests that are requested of you. In Kansas, a refusal to participate in these tests could result in the imposition of additional penalties if you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol.

If you run into trouble at a DUI checkpoint this Memorial Day weekend, get help from a knowledgeable Kansas DUI Defense Attorney right away. Your Kansas DUI Defense Attorney understands the Kansas drunk driving laws, as well as the mistakes that law enforcement offices make which could weaken or destroy their case against you. A skilled DUI defense attorney is your best protection against the consequences of a DUI conviction, which could drastically impact many areas of your life. To learn more about how a Kansas DUI defense attorney can help you with your DUI case, please call our Wichita office today at (316) 264-1548.

 

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