[Q&A] Can I request an interpreter during a DUI investigation? How can I ensure my words aren't twisted?

The Question

"Can I request an official interpreter during a police DUI investigation? I'm worried my statements will be misunderstood."

The Legal Reality: The Interpreter is Your Mandatory Protection

For a foreign national in Korea, the single most important right during a DUI investigation is the Right to an Interpreter. Many expats make the fatal mistake of trying to 'get it over with' by speaking broken Korean or basic English provided by a non-specialist officer. In the Korean legal system, once your statement is recorded in the official protocol (Jo-seo), it is nearly impossible to change later.

1. Why You Should Never Proceed Without a Professional

Legal terms in Korea are highly specific. Nuances between "I intended to move the car" and "I actually moved the car" can decide the outcome of your case. An official interpreter ensures that:

• Your words are translated accurately into the legal record.
• You fully understand the questions being asked before you answer.
• You are aware of your right to remain silent on specific points.

2. The 'Statement of Opinion' (Uigyeon-seo)

Beyond just the interview, you have the right to submit a written Statement of Opinion in your own language (with a translated copy). This is where you can explain mitigating factors—such as why you were behind the wheel (e.g., waiting for a designated driver who never came)—which can influence the prosecutor to lower your fine below the 5 million KRW deportation threshold.

3. Your Right to a Lawyer's Presence

You don't have to face the police alone. You have the constitutional right to have a lawyer present during every second of the interrogation. A lawyer from Hoam Law Firm acts as a shield, preventing coercive questioning and ensuring that the police report does not contain 'implied guilt' that isn't actually there.

4. Police Investigation vs. Immigration Audit

Remember, the police officer’s job is to close the criminal file. They are often not experts in Immigration Law. They may tell you, "It's just a fine, don't worry." Do not believe this. To an immigration officer, 'just a fine' of 5 million KRW is a mandate for deportation. You need a defense that treats the police interview as a 'Visa Interview.'

5. Why Hoam Law Firm?

Hoam Law Firm provides an integrated team of criminal defense lawyers and professional legal interpreters. We don't just 'translate'—we protect. We ensure your testimony is strategically shaped from the very first minute to minimize the criminal penalty and, most importantly, to keep your record clean enough to pass the Immigration Violation Review.

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