What Should I Tell My Lawyer After a DUI in North Carolina?

Meeting with a lawyer can be stressful after a DUI in North Carolina. However, this meeting might also represent an opportunity to get started with an effective defense strategy. You should make the most of your first consultation with a lawyer, and it makes sense to be as honest as possible. As you will see, your lawyer is one of the few people you can truly trust during this difficult process. Here’s what you should tell them:

Tell Your Lawyer What You Told the Police

First, you should tell your lawyer exactly what you told the police during your arrest. If you didn’t say anything and exercised your freedom of speech, you’re already on the right track. If you made statements to the arresting officers, however, you should tell your lawyer as many details as you can remember. These statements can be self-incriminating, and your attorney needs to know exactly what happened after the arrest. 

Tell Your Lawyer What the Police Did 

You should also tell your lawyer everything you can remember about your police interaction. It may be possible to pursue a defense strategy based on mistakes the arresting officers made. Why did the police initially pull you over? Did they have a valid reason to conduct a traffic stop? Did they read you your rights? Did you see the police calibrating the Breathalyzer before the test? All of these details may help your lawyer develop an effective defense strategy. 

Should I Admit Guilt to My DUI Lawyer?

If you know for a fact that you were drunk when you got behind the wheel, you might want to tell your lawyer. Although this might seem like a risky confession, your lawyer is bound by attorney-client privilege. This rule states that they cannot tell anyone about your confessions, even if you admitted to a crime you committed in the past. In other words, you do not face any risks when you admit to your lawyer that you committed a DUI. 

In fact, your lawyer will be better able to defend you when they know the truth about what happened. If you lie and say that you were sober, they might develop your defense strategy on the assumption you’re telling the truth. If you admit to being drunk, your lawyer might be able to explore more effective defense strategies. 

If you are truly facing false allegations, do not hesitate to tell your lawyer. The Breathalyzer device may have malfunctioned, and you may be able to pursue positive results by exposing this issue. 

Can a North Carolina DUI Lawyer Help Me?

A North Carolina DUI lawyer may be able to help if you have been arrested for allegedly driving drunk. You should meet with one of these lawyers as soon as possible after your arrest, and you don’t have to say anything to the police until you’ve had a chance to speak with your attorney. To get started with an effective defense strategy, contact Coastal South Law today.