Many people who have been arrested aren’t sure whether or not a cop can give them a ride home. This is a guide to enlighten you about this particular piece of information. More often than not, when someone is arrested for DUI, he or she does not need to go to jail. As long as the intoxication is gentle and there is no indication of danger for anyone, the police officer will likely let the arrestee go home.
Table of Contents
Can cops give you a ride home?
Whether that’s the case for your local police department depends on where you are. The short answer is yes, technically, law enforcement officers can give you a ride home if you’re too drunk to drive. However, it’s not something they do very often. Most cops will tell you they don’t want to get in the business of being a taxi service.
In general, police officers don’t want to be responsible for driving someone home who may be a danger to themselves or others.Of course, every situation is different and there are always exceptions. Officers have been known to give people rides home on occasion when they feel the person is too drunk to drive and could get into an accident, hurt themselves or others.
Why would I want to get in the back of a squad car with a cop?
To most people, being arrested is a pretty scary situation. The good news is that you won’t always be taken to the police station after being arrested. There are a few circumstances in which the officer may not want to take you to the police station immediately.
In these cases, it is important to know that even though you might be treated kindly by an officer, he or she is likely gathering evidence for your case and is not doing you any favors. You should still consider contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
- You may need a ride home if:
- you are under arrest for DUI and there are no other drivers available for you
- you are a minor who has been arrested for DUI and there are no other drivers available for you
- you have been involved in an accident and nobody else who was involved can give you a ride home
What if I don’t want to go home, but I’ve had too much to drink and need help?
If you’re not comfortable driving, but want to go home or to a friend’s house, the police may be able to help. In certain parts of the country, the police will give you a ride home if they believe that you are driving while under the influence.
For example, in New York, the police can take you home from a bar if you have had too much to drink. They will also let your friends and family know where you are going.If you don’t want to go home because someone there is angry or violent with you, it may be possible for the police to take you elsewhere. Some law enforcement agencies have trained officers who take care of domestic violence situations. They will help you get to a safe place, like a shelter for battered women or a relative’s house.
What if the person who’s with me has been drinking, can we still get help?
We understand that sometimes you may not be able to afford a cab ride home. That’s why we want to offer you a safe way to get home if you’ve been out drinking and need a ride.If you or someone with you has been drinking, give the police department a call and we’ll help get you a ride home safely.
Yes! If anyone in your group is too intoxicated to drive or operate a vehicle, call us and we’ll send an officer along with the driver of your choice. The officer will provide an escort for everyone in your group, whether they’re sober or not. This gives everyone the chance to get home safely without risking injury or death from driving under the influence.
Is it really safe to get into the back of a squad car with a cop?
It depends on the situation, and it’s not always a good idea.People should know that they can ask for a ride home from a police officer if they’re drunk and need one,” said Pete Bueno, a police sergeant in Aurora, Illinois, who has been with the department for 15 years. “But if you’re too intoxicated to walk or stand up on your own, then that’s different.”
It would depend on the circumstances of each individual case,” Bueno said. “If I’m investigating an incident involving alcohol and I have people at the scene who are sober enough to drive their friend’s home, then I’ll let them do that.”
What if I’m underage? Will I get into trouble for having alcohol?
Adult anti-drunk driving laws vary from state to state, but police officers are generally permitted to provide a ride home to adults. Underage drinking, however, is illegal in all states, and police may confiscate alcohol found in the possession of minors or issue citations.
It’s important to note that if you’re intoxicated and try to drive yourself home after being out at a bar or restaurant, you risk being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI).
Conclusion
The police officer is a helpful reminder to give those in need your time and attention. People generally have the best intentions; they just don’t think they can or are willing to help those in need. Little do they know their stern glances or random kind words could make someone’s day or even save someone’s life. It’s not something that you should make into a habit, especially if you’re driving, but it goes to show that we can all have a little more empathy and understanding for one another.