We’ve all seen the dramatic scenes on TV and in the movies where the police “read you your rights”. In real life it’s not quite so dramatic or exciting. Being charged with a crime is an unpleasant experience, and if you are not aware of your rights it can be even more so. Having a basic knowledge of what the police are allowed to do will help you to keep your cool in a stressful situation, which can lead to successful results when you defend the case against you.
Most people know that their rights in a criminal case are referred to as Miranda rights, named after the defendant that brought the original case against the government. These rights include:
- The right not to answer any questions by the police unless you have an attorney present to advise you.
- The right to have an attorney of your choice present.
- The right not to engage in any conversation or conduct that may incriminate you.
It is the last right on this list that can be confusing when you are charged with a DUI. Nearly every stop that results in a DUI also involves participation in a field sobriety test. But, did you know that you have the right to refuse to submit to the test? There are consequences for refusal, but those can be overcome through a well thought out and artful defense. Every DUI case is different and deserves careful examination to determine what type of defense strategy will work best. Our attorneys are experienced at defending DUI cases and have helped thousands of people just like you. Call our office today to get answers to all of your most important criminal defense and DUI defense questions.
For more information about your rights as a criminal defendant and how to best defend charges against you, call an experienced criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast. We work with you to tailor a defense that fits the specific facts of your case. We offer an initial consultation for no charge.