By Dale Gribow
The holidays bring thousands of visitors to our desert and result in people drinking with abandon and meeting members of the Black and White Fraternity called the Riverside Sheriffs. The nervousness that results from this encounter causes drivers to develop Black and White Fever. We have all been driving during the day and seen an officer behind us and wondered if we did something wrong and questioning whether we were about to be stopped.
When this happens the driver becomes the most careful driver on the road and starts to get nervous and sweat. If you are stopped Black and White fever will cause you to need multiple deodorant pads while you worry about being cited for speeding let alone a DUI if you had been drinking.
Can you imagine what you would feel like if you were being followed by a Black & White Patrol Car and you HAD BEEN DRINKING…..even though you were not drunk? You start thinking of the consequences of an arrest, conviction and loss of your driver’s license. That is when the “fever” kicks in the most.
Here in the Coachella Valley we have more DUI DEATHS per capita than anywhere else in the country. We have all read in the Desert Sun and heard on our local stations of the many recent fatal accidents. Unfortunately I have represented many families pursuing a Wrongful Death against the DUI driver.
Law enforcement is always on the lookout for Drivers who have been drinking. Police set up Checkpoints during the year but Riverside Sheriff is even more vigilant during the holidays that bring in so many visitors from all over the world. I have had DUI clients that I have never met from all over the States and Europe and Japan too.
13 things you should do if you are stopped for a possible DUI?
1. Think carefully about what you say, your movement, body language and emotions. Please understand that you have a right, in a courteous way, to NOT TALK. .
2. You do not have to submit to a breath test at the scene or the Field Sobriety Tests. They are optional. Merely explain that you understand these tests are not mandatory and thus you elect not to take them. You would however agree to a blood test for which they will take you to the station or hospital.
3. Don’t get into an argument with the police. Remember anything you say or do can be used against you.
4. Keep your hands where the police can see them.
5. Don’t run.
6. Don’t touch any police officer.
7. Don’t resist even if you believe you are innocent.
8. Don’t complain at the scene or tell the police they are wrong and that you are going to file a complaint or that you know the Mayor etc.
9. Ask for a lawyer immediately upon your arrest.
10. Remember the officer’s badge and patrol car numbers.
11. Write everything down that you can remember immediately upon being released.
12. Try to find Witnesses and their names and phone numbers.
13. If you are injured TAKE Pix of the injuries as soon as possible, but make sure you seek medical attention first.
Remember, Silence is Golden and Handcuffs are Silver so DON’T TALK to POLICE without your lawyer’s permission.
Though often referred to as a DUI criminal defense lawyer, I choose to not view my DUI clients as “criminals”. I prefer to view them, and more importantly to treat them, as good, honest people that have found themselves in a scary and unfortunate situation after screwing up.
I look upon my job as protecting the Constitutional Rights of every American who drinks and drives and gets arrested for a DUI.
I do however “Change Hats” when I SUE Drunk Drivers for damages to my Injured or Deceased (Wrongful Death) clients.
DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI, LYFT OR UBER………THEY ARE A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME … LAW ENFORCEMENT WARNS “DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER”
If you have any suggestions for future articles contact me 760-837-7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com.
DALE GRIBOW
“TOP LAWYER” – Palm Springs Life 2011-2017 (DUI)
“TOP LAWYER” Inland Empire Magazine Nov 2016
10.0 AVVO Perfect Peer Rating
