Your Rights and Responsibilities with Police
It's usually right that police want what's best in most situations, but it's wise to be aware of your rights and make sure you are protected. Police have a great deal of power - to take away our liberty and, sometimes, even our lives. If you are involved in a a criminal defense case or investigated for driving drunk, make sure you are protected by working closely with an attorney.
Identification? Not Necessarily
Many citizens are not aware that they aren't required by law to answer all a police officer's questions, even if they were driving. Even if you must show identification, you usually don't have to say much more about anything your plans or how much you have had to drink, in the case of a drunken driving stop. These protections were put into the U.S. Constitution and seconded by Supreme Court justices. You have a right not to incriminate yourself, and you can almost always just leave if you aren't being officially detained.
Even though it's important to have a basic understanding of your rights, you need a lawyer who understands all the small stuff of the law if you want to protect yourself reasonably. Knowing all the laws and being familiar with the multiple situations in which they apply should be left up to qualified attorneys. It's also worth saying that laws regularly change during deliberative sessions, and courts of law are constantly deciding new cases that shape the law further.
Sometimes You Should Talk to Police
It's wise to know your rights, but you should realize that usually the police aren't out to harm you. Most are good men and women, and causing an issue is most likely to hurt you in the end. You probably don't want to make police officers feel like you hate them. This is yet one more reason to hire an attorney such as the expert lawyers at criminal defense attorney Hillsboro, OR on your side, especially during questioning. A qualified attorney in criminal defense or DUI law can help you know when to be quiet.
Know When to Grant or Deny Permission
Unless cops have probable cause that you are engaging in criminal behavior, they can't search your house or your car without permission. However, if you start to blab, leave evidence lying around, or grant permission for a search, any information found could be used against you in future criminal defense proceedings. It's usually the best choice to deny permission.