This stuff really works, especially with big city police forces. First and foremost, cops do not want to lose their job. If you show familiarity with the law, they are likely to tread carefully.
Great advice, but beware that in freedom-loving red states like Tennessee, refusing a sobriety test means having some goon stick a needle in your arm while you're physically restrained. See http://www.tnduicenter.com/tag/chemical-test-refusal/
I'm from Tennessee, and you're correct UNLESS you follow this chart.
A reply "yes, I will take a sobriety test, but only in front of my lawyer" will end that thuggish nonsense in the eyes of the court. If you assert the fifth and demand a lawyer, no court would dare accept a blood test. No lawyer would ever show up for at least 6-8 hours.
I didn't realize that the TN courts had become so draconian. I would still use the above as a stalling mechanism and request a lawyer before ANY tests. Failure to comply can't be worse than DUI.
Dammit. I'm waiting for a friend in my truck and a cop (off-duty) comes up and says "sorry to bother you, but your tags are expired." He was very generous and genial...makes me mad that I have to like him. It helps that I live in a small-ish city in the South...
Anyone remember if there was a similar link to this one on this site a few weeks ago that quoted a phrase to use to respond to cops? I just searched back through a whole month of posts and didn't see it, but I'm pretty sure it was on this site.
Great advice, but beware that in freedom-loving red states like Tennessee, refusing a sobriety test means having some goon stick a needle in your arm while you're physically restrained. See http://www.tnduicenter.com/tag/chemical-test-refusal/
ReplyDeleteI assume by red you mean Republican. Interesting that red means Communist too.
DeleteChris-
DeleteI'm from Tennessee, and you're correct UNLESS you follow this chart.
A reply "yes, I will take a sobriety test, but only in front of my lawyer" will end that thuggish nonsense in the eyes of the court. If you assert the fifth and demand a lawyer, no court would dare accept a blood test. No lawyer would ever show up for at least 6-8 hours.
Mea Culpa, Chris
DeleteI didn't realize that the TN courts had become so draconian. I would still use the above as a stalling mechanism and request a lawyer before ANY tests. Failure to comply can't be worse than DUI.
I agree, Rick. Stalling as long as you can might not make much difference if you're at .20 but if you're at .10 or .12 it might be just what you need.
DeleteChris, even I cannot defend a .20 BAC while driving. Liberty requires responsibility.
DeleteThat said, I'm sure I've driven (as a younger man) close to .20 once or twice. I would never do it again.
Dammit. I'm waiting for a friend in my truck and a cop (off-duty) comes up and says "sorry to bother you, but your tags are expired." He was very generous and genial...makes me mad that I have to like him. It helps that I live in a small-ish city in the South...
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the effort, and I'm not trying to be a jerk, but did anyone else get a headache while trying to read this?
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteNice job, wonder if it works for those who the state is more likely to harass and less likely to be defended by other citizens.
ReplyDeleteAnyone remember if there was a similar link to this one on this site a few weeks ago that quoted a phrase to use to respond to cops? I just searched back through a whole month of posts and didn't see it, but I'm pretty sure it was on this site.
ReplyDelete