You Can't Talk Your Way Out of a Seattle Traffic Ticket or DUI so Don't Try

Some of the worst results are fraught with good intentions. So goes for trying to talk your way out of a Seattle traffic ticket. It sounds great when it is going down, but when you finally realize the damage that had been done, you wish you would have just shut your mouth and taken your lumps.

The situation usually goes something like this - you are driving around, maybe after a day out on the boat, maybe after a round of golf, and you've had a few drinks. You don't feel drunk, but you know you've put some beers down over the course of a day. When the cop pulls you over, you feel a little nervous and aren't sure what to do, but, because you are macho, and because you've heard other people say they'd done it before, you try to talk your way out of the ticket. From what you remember it goes something like this"

Sure, officer, I had a couple of drinks. But I know my limits. I wouldn't dare get out on the road if I was too drunk to drive. What had I been doing all day? I was out on the boat with some buddies. We were listening to some old time rock and roll, staring at the ladies, you know what I'm talking about. I'm swaying a little? That's just because of this bum knee I have (you don't have a bum knee). Officer, let me ask you a question, what do we have to do to take care of this situation? Can I just leave the car? Can I call a ride? What can we do here to make this work? Field sobriety tests? Sure, but if I pass do you promise to let me go? Sounds great, lets do it.

And then you are getting hauled down to the station and charged with Seattle DUI. Why? Because the officer is not your friend. He has heard the same speech you've given dozens of times, all by drunk people. And he loves you talking because it gives him more and more information to use against you later (and trust me, he will use it all).

Let's just gather what you've done in your little conversation with the police (making this a difficult, though all too common, Seattle traffic infraction case for an attorney):
1. Admitted to the police that you were out drinking.
2. Admitted to the police that you were out on a boat all day drinking.
3. Admitted to being too drunk to drive (that is how the police will interpret your request to call someone).
4. Lied to the officer (about your knee).
5. Failed field sobriety tests.

So what should you do? First, shut up. Tell the cop "my lawyer told me not to answer that question" and say it to every question except "Can I see your license and registration" (yes you can), "will you take field sobriety tests?" (no), "will you take a portable breath test?" (no), and "will you take a field sobriety test?" (I need to talk with my attorney first). Second, don't take field sobriety tests. And third, call a Seattle traffic lawyer before you decide to do anything.

If you do these things, not only will your Seattle lawyer love you, but you will have significantly increased your chances of beating your DUI, or at last getting it significantly reduced. The key here is as little information for the officer as possible. Don't think you can talk your way out of a Seattle speeding ticket. Be courteous, but be quiet. He is either going to let you go or he isn't. But your talking is not going to help your case.