On October 28, 2022, a school bus driver was charged with DUI after he was transporting Washington, D.C. area students while under the influence. The 48-year-old driver was driving 44 Ben Murch Elementary School students on the way back to school after they attended a field trip to a Fairfax County, VA farm. Law enforcement officials said that the bus driver had driven off the road and crashed into a large rock, which resulted in a tire getting blown out.
Staff members from that school that were on the bus told the driver, Troy Reynolds, to park the bus in a nearby parking lot. They reported that Reynolds smelled like alcohol. Police officers later arrived and conducted sobriety tests. They found his blood alcohol content (BAC) level to be 0.20. Reynolds faced multiple charges which included child endangerment along with driving under the influence.
What To Do At A DUI Stop
Being stopped for DUI can be a frightening experience, and you may not know what to do. Remembering your rights while you are stopped by a police officer on the road can help protect you and make sure that you are not charged unfairly. If you are ever stopped, remain as calm as you can so that you can communicate with the officer in an even tone. Do not say anything rude or act aggressively towards them. If they ask you if you have had anything to drink, do not give a response. You should only give them information such as your driver’s license, insurance card, and vehicle registration. Anything you say can be used against you, so be mindful of what other details that you share with them.
Remember that you have a right to refuse any breathalyzer tests or field sobriety tests. This is recommended if you want to wait until a lawyer is with you. This is applicable whether you have had barely anything to drink or did not consume any alcohol at all. The police officer may make critical mistakes or they may try to use the test as a way to move forward with an arrest.
What A DUI Lawyer Can Do For You
If you are not sure what to do at a DUI stop or how to respond to a DUI charge, contact a lawyer right away. They can do a full case evaluation, explain your legal rights and determine effective legal treaties to defend against the charge. A lawyer understands DUI cases and has had plenty of experience with them. If you are charged with DUI, they will seek any flaws in the charges against you so that they will be able to build an effective case and try to get the charges dropped.
Legal Assistance is Available
As proven by the incident in Fairfax, VA, you can face serious consequences as a result of a DUI charge. If you are in need of legal services to defend yourself against a DUI charge, do not wait to get legal help. A DUI charge should not be ignored no matter what kind of charge you are receiving. Discover what kind of legal services that you can receive by requesting a consultation with a trusted and qualified Fairfax, VA DUI lawyer from May Law, LLP.