Hawaii has severe penalties for DUI convictions. Even for your first DUI conviction, you may have to pay up to $1,000 in fines, besides possible jail time for up to five days. Understandably, people are often scared when they are pulled over by an officer for a DUI. If you have been arrested for a DUI in Honolulu, you should consider lawyering up at the earliest. Your lawyer can help defend the charges by challenging evidence and other aspects of the case. Here’s a list of the dos and don’ts that you need to follow.
The dos
- Cooperate. In Hawaii, law enforcement officers are required to establish evidence to get you out of your car, although they don’t need your consent. When the officer asks you to get out of the car, always ask if you need to. If they repeat the same, do not argue as long as it is an order and not a request.
- Exercise your rights. While there are penalties for refusing standardized field sobriety tests, you have the right to refuse the same. However, this doesn’t prevent the officer from arresting you. If you have been arrested already, be firm and polite and insist on meeting your attorney in person.
- Be honest with your attorney. The sooner you engage a DUI attorney, the quicker they can work on your case. From visiting the scene to gathering evidence and finding witnesses, they are responsible for your defense. However, your attorney can only help you when you are honest with them. Ensure that your lawyer is aware of every detail that happened after you were pulled over by the officer.
The don’ts
- Do not get out of the car until you are asked by the officer.
- Do not answer potentially incriminating questions.
- Do not argue or confront the officer at the scene.
- Do not lie about the facts. It’s better to say nothing at all.
- Do not discuss the case with anyone other than your lawyer.
DUI attorneys often rely on diverse evidence to defend charges. For instance, if the officer didn’t adhere to the norms while arresting you or if you were prevented from hiring an attorney right away, you have the right to use that in your defense. As we mentioned, it is wise to be transparent with your lawyer from the start so that they can come up with the right strategy.
