There’s never a good reason to drink and drive. You can always catch a ride home with a friend or call an Uber. However, if you do make the mistake of drinking and driving, you need to know what you’re up against. The police in Boise take DUI very seriously. This applies to people who are drunk driving and people driving while under the influence of drugs. This is because they worry about the safety of other people on the road. It’s one thing to put your own life at risk. It’s quite another to risk the lives of other innocent people.
When you’re pulled over for DUI, it’s because the police have reasonable suspicion that you’re under the influence of something. They may not be sure if you’re under the influence or alcohol or drugs. One thing is for certain – they intend to find out. When they pull you over, they’re going to ask you if you’ve been drinking. If you say no, they may ask if you’ve been taking any drugs. Obviously, your answer to this question will also be no. If you aren’t drunk, you don’t have to worry about the breathalyzer showing that you’re impaired. You may even be able to pass the field sobriety test.
During your traffic stop, the cops are going to be looking for more than just your blood alcohol concentration. Police are trained how to spot the signs of someone who’s under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They’re going to look for the following things:
- The odor or alcohol or marijuana
- Bloodshot eyes
- Sweating
- Inability to concentrate
- Shifty eyes
- Slurring your words
- Stumbling and other signs of poor coordination
If they see any of these things, they’re likely going to ask you to get out of the car. At this point, if you have drugs or an open container in your vehicle you should start to worry.
If you’re arrested and charged with DUI or possession of drugs in Boise, you should call our Boise DUI attorneys right away.
The Police Will Be Looking Everywhere for Signs of Alcohol and Drugs
When the police pull you over, they’re not just looking for obvious signs of impairment. While one officer is asking you questions, their partner is looking inside your car. If they notice anything out in the open, they can cite you for it. For example, if the officer sees drugs or paraphernalia in your car, they will ask you to get out of the car. They’ll then ask you if they have your permission to search your car. Even if you say no, they can still proceed with the search. By leaving these items in plain sight, you’re giving the cops probable cause to search your vehicle. What they find in there can be used to charge you with a variety of crimes.
They May Use a Dog to Help Search for Drugs
Almost all jurisdictions use K-9 dogs these days. These dogs are specifically trained to detect drugs. If the police suspect that you have drugs in your car, they’ll look to see what they can find in plain sight. If they don’t find anything but still suspect you have drugs or paraphernalia in your vehicle, they’re going to bring in a search dog. This dog will simply walk around the car and see if they detect drugs. These animals can smell things you wouldn’t imagine they can smell. They can detect the smallest amount of drugs no matter where it’s hidden. If the dog alerts, the cops will have probable cause to search your vehicle.
If you know you have drugs in the car, it’s not a good idea to consent to the search. Any good criminal defense lawyer in Boise is going to tell you – it’s not a good idea to hand deliver evidence to the prosecutor. If they are arresting you for DUI, they’re likely going to get a warrant to search your car anyway.
Contact an Experienced DUI Defense Lawyer in Boise, Idaho
If you’re arrested and charged with a DUI in Boise, you’ll be facing some pretty stiff penalties. If you’re charged with possession of drugs as well, you can be looking at serious jail time. Depending on how much you have on you, they can even charge you with intent to distribute. These penalties carry mandatory penalties in Boise. You’re going to need the help of a skilled DUI defense lawyer.
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