Getting Sound Advice

What Will A DUI Attorney Do For Your Case?

23 January 2023

Hailey Ruiz

Being arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious matter and carries with it serious consequences. Don't try to deal with this situation on your own. Learn more about what a DUI attorney can do for you by reading below.

What Could Go Wrong?

When a suspect is stopped on suspicion of DUI, law enforcement is faced with many ways to mess things up. For example, the below common issues can exist when a stop is made:

• What is the reason for the stop? A legal reason (reasonable cause) must be present. If not, it's possible that the stop and everything that occurred after that point are invalid. In some cases, law enforcement may be challenged to state a reason. They often cite not wearing a seatbelt or failing to signal as reasons. However, the reason must be verifiable.
• What prompted field sobriety testing? Law enforcement relies on what they see, smell, and hear when evaluating a driver for intoxication. Alcohol can cause drivers to slur their words, smell of alcohol, have red eyes, and other things. Unfortunately, this is left up to the discretion of the officer since perception is a personal issue. What might be a red flag to one officer is ignored by others.
• How did the field sobriety tests go? It can be difficult to "pass" a field sobriety test for many people, regardless of their level of intoxication. When you consider the tests themselves, many would have a difficult time performing the physical steps of standing on one leg or walking in a straight line. Language issues, hearing problems, and neurological issues can also cause people to fail field sobriety tests.
• Did you also fail the breathalyzer test? Breath is measured on the roadside by testing your breath for metabolized alcohol molecules. However, these tests must be properly performed, and the device should be recently calibrated for accuracy. Even the larger machine back at the station must be checked for accuracy.

The above problems with DUI cases are only problems for the state if the defendant gets an attorney on the job. DUI attorneys understand how wrong a DUI stop and arrest can go. When things are done incorrectly, it provides those with a lawyer with more options. Lawyers can use problematic evidence to have charges dismissed or used to gain a favorable plea bargain agreement.

Don't make the mistake of thinking you are about to be convicted and nothing can be done. Find out what a lawyer can do for you by speaking to one today.

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