What to Do and Not to Do at a Charlotte DWI Checkpoint

The “DO’S” of a Charlotte DWI Checkpoint

Stop at the DWI Checkpoint

This point may seem fairly obvious, but in my experience as a criminal defense attorney, and a Mecklenburg County Assistant District Attorney, I have seen my share of cases where drivers have either not stopped at a DWI checkpoint or made some kind of maneuver to avoid the checkpoint. In most cases, the driver exhibited this behavior because he or she thought they had something they needed to hide, whether that was an open container of alcohol, drugs, or their own perceived impairment.

Getting into when you may make a legal turn, or completely turn around for that matter, upon approaching a DWI checkpoint is a complicated area of DWI law that is beyond the scope of this blog. The important thing to remember is that most DWI checkpoint plans have a chase policy. These chase polices allow the police to pursue a person who evades or fails to stop at checkpoint. Thus, not stopping at a DWI checkpoint generally means that the police will chase you and additional charges will likely be brought against you for offenses such as fleeing to elude and resist, delay, obstruct.

Get Out of the Car if Asked

For the majority of drivers, and their passengers, who pass through a DWI checkpoint, the extent of their interaction with the police will last only long enough to show them their driver’s license. However, it is possible that an officer will ask you to step out of your vehicle for them to further investigate. If this happens, you should step out of your vehicle. In general, the case law suggests that if your vehicle is lawfully stopped by the police, an officer has the authority to order you, whether you are a driver and passenger, out of the vehicle without showing any reason to do so. Not cooperating with the police could lead to additional charges for offenses such as resting, delaying, and obstructing an officer or even obstruction of justice.

Remain Polite, Cooperative, and Respectful

Without question, waiting to pass through a DWI checkpoint is frustrating for the majority of drivers. Even though the law allows DWI checkpoints to be conducted, they are undeniably an inconvenience and infringement upon a person’s rights, at least to some degree, to those passing by. We all have somewhere to be or something to do. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that the police have a job to do. With that, being polite, cooperative, and respectful towards the stopping officer is undoubtedly the quickest way through the checkpoint. We all want to be treated with respect, and the police are no different. However, as you will see below, being respectful doesn’t mean doing everything the police ask you to.

The “DO NOT’S” of a Charlotte DWI Checkpoint

DO NOT Make Incriminating Statements

When you approach an officer at a DWI checkpoint, you will be asked to hand over your driver’s license. You should absolutely do this. After this, one of the first questions you will be asked if the officer suspects you of drinking and driving is “Have you had anything to drink tonight?” This question will likely be followed by a question such as “Where are you coming from?” and “Where are you headed?”

You must remember that these are not questions you want to answer, nor do you have to answer. The reason the officer is asking you these questions is to begin gaining evidence, because that’s what your statements are, to use against you in developing probable cause to arrest you and convict you of DWI. Don’t try to talk your way out of it. The officer interprets you saying “I only had one drink” or “I’m coming from [insert restaurant or bar here]” as you admitting to drinking and driving. Instead, politely inform the officer that you do not intend to answer any of his or her questions. Be persistent, because they will be.

DO NOT Perform Field Sobriety Tests

After you refuse to answer any of the officer’s questions, the officer may still ask you to step out of your vehicle. Again, based on the case law, it’s my opinion that you should do so. If the officer suspects you of DWI, the officer may ask you to perform a variety of field sobriety tests, such as the HGN (eye test), the Walk and Turn (WAT), the One Leg Stand (OLS), an alphabet test, a counting test, or even a finger dexterity test. Again, these are not tests that you have to perform, nor are they tests you should perform.

Do not think you can “beat” these field sobriety tests. It’s not normal for us to have to walk a straight line or stand on one leg, especially late at night, with cars whipping by, and lights flashing everywhere. If you attempt these tests, odds are you will perform poorly on them. The officer will then use your poor performance on these field sobriety tests as evidence to justify arresting you and convicting you for DWI. Again, politely inform the officer that you are not going to perform any kind of test.

DO NOT Submit to a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT)

If an officer working a DWI checkpoint believes you are driving while impaired, the officer may also attempt to get evidence of your alcohol concentration. One way the officer may do this is by requesting that you submit to a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT). The PBT is distinguishable from an Intoxilyzer 5000 or EC/IR II in that the PBT is handheld and almost always given roadside, such as at a DWI checkpoint.

As with incriminating admissions and field sobriety tests, you should not blow into a PBT. The officer only wants to use this evidence against you to support his decision to arrest you for DWI. Additionally, when you are being investigated for drunk driving there are not the same driver’s license consequences for politely refusing to submit to a PBT like there are for refusing to give a breath sample on the Intoxilyzer 5000 or EC/IR II. If you don’t take the PBT, the officer will only be able to tell the court that you refused to submit to the test.

Our Approach To DWI Cases

WE WILL GET YOU DRIVING AGAIN

Simply being charged with DWI in North Carolina often results in your driver’s license being revoked for a minimum of 30 days. However, we can typically get your driving privileges reinstated almost immediately. We do this by either, first, challenging this civil license revocation, or second, getting you a limited driving privilege.

Defend My Case

WE WILL GATHER EVIDENCE

Whether you realize it or not, a considerable amount of evidence exists regarding your DWI charge, much of which is vital to an effective defense of your case. We will review your court file, subpoena necessary documents, videos, and notes, and file the appropriate pretrial motions in a timely manner.

Defend My Case

WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU IN COURT

As former prosecutors, we are aware of all the potential defenses that may be available to you. We do not automatically assume you intend to plead guilty and face the harsh consequences associated with a DWI conviction. We pledge we will examine every possible defense and take your case to trial if it is in your best interest.

Defend My Case

WE WILL MITIGATE CONSEQUENCES

While it’s our goal to win every DWI case we have, it’s simply not possible for any attorney to win every time. If you are ultimately convicted of DWI, we will help you take every step possible to reduce the potential penalties, such as avoiding jail time, keeping you driving, reducing monetary costs, and more.

Defend My Case

What to Do and Not to Do at a Charlotte DWI Checkpoint

The “DO’S” of a Charlotte DWI Checkpoint

Stop at the DWI Checkpoint

Get Out of the Car if Asked

Remain Polite, Cooperative, and Respectful

Let Our Experience & Knowledge Help You Obtain The Best Possible Outcome For Your Unique Legal Situation.

The “DO NOT’S” of a Charlotte DWI Checkpoint

DO NOT Make Incriminating Statements

DO NOT Perform Field Sobriety Tests

DO NOT Submit to a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT)

Have You Been Arrested for a DWI in Charlotte, NC?

Our Approach To DWI Cases