While no one likes to be pulled over by the police, it happens to almost everyone at some point. When a person is pulled over for suspected drunk driving, the situation becomes even more serious. However, how people react to the police can make a difference in their case. If people cooperate with the police, police may try to take advantage of people and get more evidence then they legally should. On the other hand, if people resist the police they can end up with additional charges.
Take, for example, a recent Portland case. In this case a man was stopped by a police officer after running a red light. The police officer claims that he sideswiped a car as he pulled over and that he smelled of alcohol. After visiting the car once, the officer says that he returned to his car to call back up to perform a field sobriety test. When the officer returned to his patrol car, the man took off. According to witnesses, the man made it five blocks before crashing into another car. He was arrested a short time later.
In addition to the drunk driving charges, the man is also facing criminal charges for attempting to allude police, criminal mischief and reckless driving.
Since the man drove off after the initial police stop, additional charges were added. When people refuse to cooperate with police investigation they can face additional penalties including longer jail sentences. Therefore, people may be better off if they cooperate during traffic stops. However, people should remember that they have the right to remain silent until they have an attorney. People are under no obligation to answer questions about possible criminal behavior or consent to additional police questioning.
Source: The Oregonian, "Man allegedly flees traffic stop in Portland, crashes blocks away," Everton Bailey Jr., April 9, 2013
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