What to Do After an OUI Arrest in Windham County

Contact The Law Office of Jerome Paun Now

So, you’ve been pulled over for alleged drunk or impaired driving. Now what?

Since most people reading this are doing so after they’ve been arrested, I can only hope that you exercised your right to remain silent and didn’t talk to the police. Unfortunately, in my experience most people arrested for a DUI/OUI talk to the police before they consult a lawyer. If you were one of the few who didn’t talk to the police already, then DON’T! Contact an experienced Windham County DUI attorney instead.

Even if you have already talked to the police, you should still consult an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Read on to learn why.

If this Is Your First Arrest

Just like any other first-time arrest, a first-time OUI/DUI arrest is a frightening experience. For many people, this is their first time being arrested, their first time sitting in the back of a police car, their first time submitting to standardized field sobriety tests, a breathalyzer, or other chemical testing. Don't panic! You are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. An experienced Windham County DUI defense attorney can help you understand your rights, the strength of the state's case against you, and your legal defense options.

At The Law Office of Jerome Paun, we defend the rights and freedom of people accused of OUI and other motor vehicle-related offenses. We use over 40 years of experience to fight for the best possible results in our clients' OUI or motor vehicle offense cases. Please read on to learn more about what to do after a DUI arrest. Then, call our law office at (860) 455-4202 to speak with an experienced Connecticut OUI lawyer.

You Have the Right to Remain Silent. Use It!

The police are not kidding when they tell you, "Anything you say can and will be used against you." If the police have enough evidence to arrest you, they will; whether you talk to them or not. In most cases, there is nothing you could possibly say to the police that would stop them from arresting you if they think they have enough evidence against you.

When the police think they don’t have enough evidence to arrest you, they will want to talk with you to see if something you might say will give them the evidence they need. You don’t need to help them arrest you. They are quite capable of doing that on their own without your help. Exercise your right to remain silent and tell the police you won’t talk to them without a lawyer representing you.

If you talk to the police and they decide that you are not fully truthful, they could charge you with the crime of making a false statement. The best way to protect yourself is to say nothing. Remain silent until you have consulted with and retained a criminal defense lawyer.

Don't Consent to a Search of Your Vehicle

You have a right to be free from unreasonable government searches and seizures. Normally, the police will not have a warrant to search your motor vehicle when they stop you for OUI or another motor vehicle offense. Nevertheless, they frequently ask to search vehicles anyway. Most of the time, they don’t have probable cause to search a vehicle without a search warrant.

If you consent to a search, you have given the police the right to search your vehicle without probable cause or a warrant. If you don’t object to their search, anything they find in your motor vehicle can be used against you in court to convict you of operating under the influence or any other criminal charge the evidence might support.

You don't have to consent to a motor vehicle search. If they ask, tell the police you do not consent to a search of your vehicle. If they really want to search your vehicle that badly, they should convince a judge there is probable cause for a search warrant. Object to any police requests to search your vehicle!

Why Choose The Law Office of Jerome Paun?

• If you face first-time OUI charges in Connecticut, The Law Office of Jerome Paun can provide you with the effective defense representation you need.
• We can defend you on all fronts, from criminal OUI proceedings in court, to the administrative per se driver's license suspension hearing at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• Defense attorney Jerome Paun has more than 40 years of legal experience and a proven record of success defending clients in Willimantic and throughout Eastern Connecticut against drunk driving charges.

Contact us today to learn more about how our DUI lawyer in CT can defend you!