Happy Holidays!
It’s a wonderful time of the year, and, for some of us, a very difficult time of the year. The stress of life always seems to intensify during the holidays. This can lead to run ins with the law. It’s best to know how to handle these situations before they occur.
If you are pulled over, be pleasant – the officer is only doing his or her job. Making the officer mad is not going to help your case. Just remember this: Ask to speak to an attorney right away. Make no comments, statements, or confessions until you have had a chance to talk to an attorney. You can provide the officer with your license, registration, and proof of insurance, but keep in mind that everything you say will be used against you. This is no line from a bad cop show, everything you say will be used against you.
Usually the officer will ask you to perform sobriety tests at the scene of the stop. Walk and turn, leg lift, etc. I do not recommend your taking these voluntary tests. In my experience, nearly everyone fails these tests – so why give the prosecutor more ammunition to use against you? After you have had the chance to talk to an attorney, you can then make decisions about other aspects of the arrest, but don’t get sucked into a conversation with the officer prior to talking to an attorney. It may seem like a casual conversation, but it is not. You have a right to remain silent, use it.
Enjoy your holidays. Drive safely, and protect your rights.
About Me
- Frank LaBare Attorney at Law
- I have been practicing Law for over 16 years in King and Pierce Counties. I attended Western Washington University and earned a BA in Communications and Political Science. I received my law degree, with honors, from the University of Puget Sound. I was admitted to the bar in 1993. I moved my office to the Maple Valley area five years ago where my family and I have lived for many years. I do primarily family law, criminal defense and estate planning. I have extensive trial and motion experience as well. I've also worked as a mediator for the past ten years, which is a great way to settle disputes without incurring the cost and conflict generally associated with litigation.
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