Over the last five years, all law enforcement agencies in Pierce County have placed a greater emphasis on DUI arrests. If you have been drinking and are pulled over here in Washington State, it is important to know our rights. Many people believe that they must cooperate with the police and answer any questions that are asked of them. This is not true. Many people also believe that they are required to do whatever an officer requests after they have been stopped. This is also false.

For example, they believe that they are required to perform any requested Field Sobriety Tests. Again, this is false. They roadside gymnastics are not designed to do anything except attempt to gather incriminating evidence against you. The same is true for the portable breath tests that Pierce County law enforcement officers often carry in their vehicles. The portable breath tests are small hand-held devices that police often ask you to blow into after you have been stopped by the side of the road.

First of all, these devices are not reliable. Second of all, the police almost always fail to follow their own required protocols when using them in the field. And, third, they are primarily utilized by Pierce County law enforcement as just another piece of evidence support their decision to arrest you for DUI based on probable cause.

You should always be polite, but firm. If an officer requests that you step from your vehicle, the first thing out of your mouth should be that you would like to speak with an attorney immediately. The officer is not required to put in touch with an attorney while you are by the side of the road. But he is required to make a reasonable effort to put you in touch with an attorney prior to forcing you to make a decision about whether or not to take a breath test back at the police station.

Just say no to any requested roadside tests.

If you are pulled over, detained or arrested, here are the SEVEN RULES OF THE ROAD:

1. Do provide law enforcement officers with your license, registration and proof of insurance and politely identify yourself.
2. Do tell the officer that you want an attorney.
3. Do not answer any questions. It is in your interest to remain silent.
4. Do not consent to a search of your car or residence.
5. Do not agree to take any field sobriety tests. They are not legally required.
6. Do not blow into the error-prone portable breath-test machine officers keep in their cars.
7. Do tell the officer that you are willing to take a breath test at the station or give blood.

The purpose of this page is to provide helpful and useful information about trying to avoid Tacoma DUI arrests and Pierce County drunk driving charges.

What you should do if you are pulled over and the contacting officer suspects that you have been driving under the influence is extremely fact specific. Nothing detailed above should be construed as legal advice for every situation. It is provided only as a set of general guidelines.