What Happens to a Vehicle After DC DUI Stop? Here’s What You Need to Know

What Is a DC DUI Stop and How to Go About It?

 

At any given time, in Washington, DC, traffic police officers are stationed at countless positions throughout the state for a police search. They are always ready to make arrests for persons they believe have chosen to drink and drive.

A traffic officer has the legal right to stop and arrest you for any probable cause and ask to check your driver’s license, especially if they find you driving under the influence, whether it’s at a routine traffic stop or not. 

For a traffic officer to stop you, several circumstances may cause them to do so. For instance, if you were overspeeding, drifting in and out of lanes, or your vehicle registration number or driving license is overdue, you may be pulled over.

Here are a few things you need to know if you get stopped at a DUI checkpoint, and you happen to be driving while intoxicated:

• You should pull over at a safe place or parking space, turn off your engine, and place your hands on the steering wheel as you wait for further instructions from the police officer. If the stop occurs at night, be sure to leave your interior car lights on to help the police officer know that you are not a threat to them.
• Avoid arguing or being aggressive with the police. Make sure to keep calm at all times.
• Be sure to answer all reasonable questions that the police ask you, and exercise your right to remain silent beyond the basics. Do not try to justify your driving behavior at all costs, but do not admit to anything either. Remember that anything you say can and will be used against you.
• If asked to step out of the car, it is crucial to follow the order. This is necessary in cases where an officer has a reasonable suspicion to do so.
• The police may ask you to undergo a field sobriety test. They can ask you to do the one-leg stand test as a part of this. Other drivers may prefer taking a chemical test instead. Be sure to know your rights and exercise them when being asked to undergo testing, as the results of these tests could give police officers evidence to support the DUI charge against you.

If the police believe you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they will then arrest you and take you to the police station. They will perform field sobriety tests to ensure that you are driving under the influence. This begs an important question: what happens to your car? 

What to Expect From Police at a DC DUI Stop?

It’s important to know what to expect if you are the subject of a DC DUI stop. This will ensure that you are able to take appropriate steps to protect yourself.

Car Searches

As much as a police officer has the legal right to stop you for a DUI test, they also have the right to search you, and your vehicle if found in a traffic violation.

A traffic officer does not necessarily need a search warrant, as DUI laws across the country permit them to do so. So, do not take it as an unreasonable search and assist them in it without causing any resistance. They purposely do so to gather more evidence that you were drunk driving. They could be looking for drugs, alcohol, or an unregistered firearm that they can use against you in court.

Discovery of Illegal Substances

It is assumed that if you are found driving under the influence, you probably may be carrying controlled substances with you. Since a police officer has the right to search your car, they may choose to do so once they have pulled you over. If you are found with any illegal substances, this may further cost you other additional charges. 

The additional charges will depend on the type of substance that is found in the vehicle. Such additional charges may increase the possible penalties that an individual faces in any DC superior court.

Another instance that can cause you additional charges is when unregistered firearms are retrieved from your car. You will end up being charged for the illegal possession of a firearm in a court of law.

Moreover, if your car is pulled over with suspicions of being in any criminal activity, then even if the criminal activity can not be proven in a criminal case, the DC government has a lower burden of proof to seize and forfeit the personal property.