A Defense Lawyer Answers: Are You Required to Pull Over During a DUI Traffic stop in Greenville, South Carolina?

If you’ve been arrested for DUI or eluding police in Greenville, you need help. Not only will you be facing fines, you may also be facing jail time without a decent defense lawyer. You’ll also be facing a suspension of your driver’s license. Rather than try to handle this on your own, you should call an experienced DUI defense attorney in Greenville. They can review your case and talk to the prosecutor. Depending on how strong the evidence is, they may be able to get the charges reduced or dismissed.

Why Would the Police in Greenville Pull You Over Anyway?

The police are allowed to pull a car over if they have reasonable suspicion that the driver has broken the law. This can include anything from running a stop sign to driving under the influence. The cops in South Carolina are trained to look for certain signs of drunk driving. This may include any or all of the following:

  • Speeding or driving too slowly
  • Weaving in and out of your lane
  • Running through a red light or stop sign
  • Seeing alcohol containers in plain sight

Once the officer pulls you over, they’ll look for signs of impairments. This can include anything from bloodshot eyes to the odor of alcohol.

Your DUI Defense Lawyer in Greenville Can’t Really Help if You Flee the Police

By the time you meet with your Greenville DUI defense lawyer, you’ve already been arrested. You spent your night or two in the county jail. Your first appearance has already been scheduled with the courts. The only thing left to do is to defend the charges. Your attorney isn’t going to be in the car with you when you’re pulled over. However, if they were, they would advise you that it’s never a good idea to run from the police.

Nobody wants to get arrested for DUI. If you’ve been drinking and get behind the wheel, there’s always the chance that you can get pulled over. You accepted this fate when you put the keys into the ignition. You’ll only be making your situation worse if, when those lights appear in your rearview mirror, you take off.

You’ll Be Facing Additional Charges for Eluding the Police

If the cops attempt to pull you over for a routine traffic stop, you need to comply. Refusing to pull over will lead to additional charges. If you willfully and knowingly resist the efforts of a police officer, you’ll be charged with a misdemeanor. This will carry fines anywhere from $500 to $1,000. You can also be sentenced to up to one (1) year in prison. This is going to be on top of any sentence you receive for your original DUI charges.

Rather than flee the police, it’s in your best interest to stop. The cops are likely going to catch up to you anyway. And, once they have your license plate information, they can always track you down. You don’t want to carry on a long police chase. That can only lead to injury to yourself, a law officer or an innocent motorist. It will also lead to possible jail time and enhanced penalties.

Contact an Experienced DUI Defense Attorney in Greenville Right Away

If you’re arrested and charged with DUI, you’ll be facing serious consequences. Not only will you be facing fines, but you can also be sentenced to jail time. On top of this, you’ll have to deal with a lengthy suspension of your driver’s license. This can all be avoided if you retain the services of an experienced DUI defense lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina. They can help get the charges reduced or dismissed. It all depends on the facts of your case.

You do need to keep in mind – there is only so much your Greenville DUI defense lawyer can do if you flee the police. Not only will you be facing the original DUI charges, but you’ll also have to deal with other criminal charges. If you intentionally try to avoid the police during a reasonable traffic stop, you will be facing a serious penalty. Depending on the evidence and the facts of your case, your defense lawyer may be able to get these charges reduced. However, if the stop was reasonable, the court is going to find that you are guilty of these charges.

Call our office right away and schedule your initial consultation. There is so much at risk, you don’t want to try to handle this on our own.

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