I discussed previously the rights a North Carolina driver has to refuse to 1) answer any questions during a DWI (driving while impaired) stop/investigation, 2) refuse to participate in any field sobriety tests, and 3) refuse to blow into the portable, handheld breathalyzer unit that officers often carry in their squad cars (in NC, this is the Alco-Sensor device). All...
Continue ReadingContinuing from the previous post on your rights during a DWI stop and investigation, in which you may be suspected of driving while impaired or other alcohol-related driving offenses. Rule #2: You do not have to participate in any field sobriety tests, and you almost certainly should not. Many people mistakenly believe that they have no choice but to...
Continue ReadingThere are many misconceptions regarding the rights of a driver who is stopped in Raleigh or elsewhere in Wake County (or anywhere in North Carolina), in a case in which a routine traffic stop escalates into an investigation for DWI (Driving While Impaired) or related drunk driving offense. I’ll break this down into some basic rules, over a series...
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