DWI Tips

Ever wonder how a police officer identifies a drunk driver on the road? They look for the signs you are giving them.

• Driving at a high or low speed
• Slow response to traffic signals
• Swerving, drifting, or moving over the center line
• Stopping abruptly or braking for no reason
• Making illegal or wide turns
• Operating the vehicle without headlights at night
• Driving on the wrong side of the road
• Near collisions with anything

Call the Law Offices of Edwin J. Youngblood at (817) 236-4242 to obtain an experienced DWI attorney today!

This is legal advice that may help you avoid a DWI arrest.

• Have your driver’s license, registration, and insurance easily accessible.
• Pull over immediately, and park in a safe place for you and the officer.
• It is not illegal to drive after you’ve consumed alcohol, but it is a good idea not to do so…
  • Be honest, but do not provide evidence against yourself
  • DO NOT volunteer the information that you’ve consumed alcohol
  • However, do not refuse to answer the question, as this will lead to further suspicion
• Note the time the officer pulled you over, some officers will use this question to gauge your awareness
• Be polite to the officers and jail staff if you are arrested
  • You are being recorded, don’t do anything that the prosecutors could use against you in court
• You can respectfully decline taking any standard field sobriety tests, such as walking a straight line and watching the officer’s finger – especially if it is windy or the ground is uneven.
  • Make the police officer aware of any physical weaknesses, such as bad knees.
  • If you do opt to do a standard field sobriety test, the officer would note if you waited for the instructions to begin or started without hearing all the requests.
  • You should always choose to take a breath test, as it’s easier to attack in court.
    • Refusing to take a Blood, breath, or urine test will likely result in your license being suspended, as the officer has reasonable doubt that you are impaired
• Be observant and note all events leading up to the arrest, and afterwards

How to Calculate if you’re Over .08 (the legal limit in all States)

• BAC calculator Formula: BAC% = (A × 5.14/W × r) – .015 × H
• Key:
• A: Total alcohol consumed(ounces/oz)
• W: Body weight (pounds/lbs)
• r: Alcohol distribution ratio (0.73 for males, and 0.66 for females)
• H: Hours passed since consumption
• Note: These calculations can be inaccurate given:
  • Medication
  • Metabolism
  • Amount of food consumed recently
  • Hereditary/hormonal factors

Legal Tips for After Being Charged with a DWI

• If you’ve been arrested, contact a family member or close friend to bail you out as soon as possible to avoid prolonged time in jail
• Appear at your court date on time. If you have questions, make sure you have asked your lawyer prior to your appearance
• If you don’t show up to court, a warrant will be issued for your arrest
• If you need time to get your finances together to hire the Law Offices of Edwin J. Youngblood, politely ask the court for a two-week grace period so you can get representation
• If your car has been impounded, the Law Offices of Edwin J. Youngblood can assist you in getting it back
  • If your car is not drivable, we will assist you in getting your personal possessions/work tools returned to you or a loved one