Arrest
It’s not wrong to enjoy a night out with friends and have a few drinks. Having a few bottles of beer after a long day at work is also not wrong. However, if you feel a little buzzed, you shouldn’t drive. You may think you’re in control of the wheel until you see the flashing lights of a police car pulling up behind you. And before you know it, you may go to jail.
DUI charges come with hefty penalties. If you’re convicted, you may face hefty fines, the suspension of your driver’s license, or several years behind bars. This can affect your life significantly. Luckily, you can count on a DUI lawyer to fight for your rights and prevent you from spending time in prison. Here are three essential strategies that a skilled DUI attorney will use to keep you out of jail and protect your future.
Challenge The Validity Of The Traffic Stop
To make an arrest for drunk driving, the police must have a valid reason to pull you over. They can’t stop you just because they feel like it or because they suspect you’ve been drinking.
A DUI lawyer will examine the circumstances leading up to the traffic stop and look for inconsistencies. For example, if the police officer didn’t have probable cause to believe you were violating the law, the traffic stop may have been illegal. An attorney will gather information to prove that the stop was unlawful. This way, the evidence obtained during the stop will be suppressed, resulting in your charges being dropped.
Challenge The Accuracy Of The Field Sobriety Tests
After being pulled over, a police officer will likely ask you to perform field sobriety tests. These tests are designed to determine whether you’re impaired. The officer may ask you to walk in a straight line, stand on one leg, or follow a moving object with your eyes.
Unfortunately, some of these tests are inaccurate, and many factors could affect their results. For example, if you have a medical condition that affects your balance or coordination, you may perform poorly on these tests even if you’re not impaired.
A OUI lawyer can challenge the accuracy of these tests and prove that they are unreliable indicators of impairment. They’ll also determine if the police officer administered the tests correctly.
Negotiate A Plea Bargain
If the evidence against you is strong, a DUI lawyer can negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution on your behalf. During this process, you’ll be expected to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence. For example, you may plead guilty to reckless driving instead of DUI to get a reduced sentence, such as probation or community service, rather than jail time.
A plea bargain may not always be the best option. So, before opting for it, let a DUI lawyer carefully review the evidence against you and advise you on whether it’s in your best interest.
Summing Up
Being arrested for drunk driving can be a frightening experience. However, hiring a DUI lawyer can make all the difference. They’ll challenge the validity of the traffic stop, the accuracy of the field sobriety tests and breathalyzer test, and negotiate a plea bargain on your behalf. These actions will help you avoid jail time.
