Do not volunteer information that might incriminate you. The Court is often faced with determining whether statements made against one's interest are given in the course of the officer's routine questioning or made as the officer pursues definite criminal investigation. Often a police officer will stop a vehicle for routine causes such as speeding or other traffic violation, equipment deficiencies or such as discussed above. Upon stopping the vehicle and talking with the driver, the officer may quickly come to a conclusion that the driver has consumed alcoholic beverages. In most jurisdictions, it is not against the law to have consumed alcohol and then drive a vehicle.
All states have prohibitions against operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Regardless of the reason for the stop, the officer can ask the driver to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety tests at the scene if the officer has reasonable suspicion that the driver is under the influence. The officer has the right to request that you go to a test site and submit to a test to determine the presence or amount of alcohol. A portable test unit may be used at the road side before being taken to the test location. In Indiana if you refuse to submit to this chemical test your driving privileges may be revoked for one year based on the refusal, even if you were to later be acquitted of the operating charge. Generally, the Courts have determined that you do not have the right to an attorney being present during this test taking.