It's football season. Be extra careful. The California Highway Patrol, Alameda Co. Sheriff's Office, and local law enforcement agencies have their eyes on sporting events and will be out in force after every Oakland A's home game. Drive carefully, obey all traffic laws, and be sure to use your turn signals! Better yet, have a designated driver!

What You Need to Know if you are Pulled Over.

Remember that performing Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) and blowing into the hand-held Preliminary Alcohol Screening device (PAS) are optional (unless you are under 21 or you are already on DUI probation, in which case you must take it), but if you are taken into custody, you must take either a breath or blood test under the California “Implied Consent” law. If you refuse, the police may obtain a warrant and take a “forced” blood draw anyway!

If you are pulled over, always be polite and calm. Easier said than done, perhaps, because of the natural human reaction to be nervous whenever we see that red light in our rear-view mirror. But remember, the time to fight is in court, not by the side of the road!

When you get home, write down everything you can remember about the events as they happened. It is important to do this when the events are still fresh in your mind, and can be invaluable in your defense.

And make sure you have a top defense attorney who specializes in DUI on your side – someone like Lynn Gorelick! Call our office 24 hours a day, or contact us through this website, for a free consultation.