What to Expect at a Sobriety Checkpoint

What should you do if you end up at a sobriety checkpoint?

The first thing you should do in this situation is open your window slightly and wait for the law enforcement agent to ask you any questions. As with any routine stop, you are required to provide identifying information such as your name, address, driver’s license and registration.

If the officer makes a statement about why you are being stopped and asks to see your driver’s license, have it ready to hand over. Should you be asked any further questions, you can politely decline to answer. You can say something like, “Officer, I don’t really approve of roadblocks and I do not care to discuss anything further.” If the officer persists in asking questions, you can ask for the return of your license and ask if you are free to leave.

It is imperative not to answer any questions, even if they appear harmless. If you are willing to answer some questions and not others, it will raise suspicions in the officer’s mind. It is even worse to incriminate yourself by answering seemingly routine questions. If you let the officer know from the start that you are not going to answer any questions, they will have no legal reason to detain you. You may either remain silent or answer every question with “I don’t care to discuss my affairs. May I leave now?” You are not legally obligated to answer any questions.

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