People often talk about the importance of telling the truth, and being honest will serve you well through much of your life. One area in which honesty has its ups and downs is when you're talking to a police officer, especially if he or she believes that you've broken the law in some manner. An interaction with the police that many people experience occurs upon being pulled over for the suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. When you're dealing with the police, your best options are to be truthful or to respectfully abstain from answering a question in favor of having your attorney present. Do not lie to a police officer. Here are some pros and cons of telling the truth during this conversation.

Pro: It's Smart If You Have Nothing To Hide

If you were pulled over but are not under the influence of alcohol, telling the truth is a very good idea. Being evasive or perhaps refusing to answer questions at all immediately raises the police officer's suspicions about you. If you have nothing to hide, telling the officer the truth, perhaps that you haven't been drinking or that you had one glass of wine with dinner, can make this exchange go well.

Con: The Truth May Harm You

People often say that the truth will set you free, but if you drank heavily prior to your DUI stop, the truth can lead to handcuffs. In this scenario, being truthful, perhaps by telling the officer that you drank six beers in a short amount of time at a party and then got behind the wheel, will not help your situation. Instead, you're better to invoke your right to remain silent.

Pro: The Court Will Know

If you end up arrested and go to court to face a charge of driving under the influence, the judge will ask the arresting officer for details about your arrest. The topic of your demeanor will definitely come up. If you were truthful and polite, the police officer will report this information. This could help the judge to be lenient in your sentencing. If you were combative the entire time, the officer will be sure to share this information too, and it won't help your case.

Con: It May Make Your Attorney's Job Harder

When you hire a DUI attorney to represent you, one of the first things that he or she will want to know is what you said to the arresting officer. While legal professionals don't condone lying, your attorney may be dismayed if you said too much rather than choose not to answer the officer's questions. In addition to leading to your arrest, too much truth in this situation may make defending your charge more difficult for your attorney.

For more information, check out websites like http://www.chichesterlaw.com today.