Dina Lohan is facing a charge of driving while intoxicated after allegedly leaving the scene of an accident on the evening of Jan. 11. The crash took place in the parking lot of a New York mall according to media reports. Lohan, who is the mother of actress Lindsay Lohan, allegedly refused to submit to a breath test when confronted by police officers at her Long Island home. She entered not guilty pleas to the charges against her during a Jan. 11 arraignment hearing.

The chain of events that led to Lohan’s arrest began at about 7 p.m. in the parking lot of a Merrick shopping center. The driver of a Honda SUV says that a Mercedes struck the rear of his vehicle and then left the scene. The driver then called 911 and followed the Mercedes. The driver and police caught up with the Mercedes outside a nearby residence, and officers say that Lohan was behind the wheel while the engine was running.

Officers claim that Lohan’s breath smelled of alcohol and her eyes were bloodshot and glassy. She is said to have admitted to consuming a single glass of wine before getting behind the wheel. Officers took Lohan into custody when she allegedly refused to take a breath test. Lohan’s driving privileges were suspended for a year in 2014 after she admitted to exceeding the posted speed limit while under the influence of alcohol.

The urge to explain oneself when questioned by police officers can be strong, but experienced criminal defense attorneys would likely advise individuals in this situation to refrain from making admissions or providing excuses. This is especially true when physical evidence or the individual’s demeanor contradict the statements. Many drunk driving cases are resolved by plea agreements, but negotiating favorable terms might be made more difficult for attorneys if their clients have lied to or acted belligerently toward police officers.