If you are charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, you shouldn’t wait a single day to learn more about your case.
What went wrong in the first place? Did the arresting officer make any mistakes? Do you have a clear idea of how you can protect your legal rights?
Even though you’re in a difficult spot, it’s good to know that there is more than one type of drunk driving defense strategy. With this, there’s a better chance of settling on something that will help you avoid a conviction.
Here are three of the most common defense strategies:
Improper stop: Did the officer have a reason to stop your vehicle in the first place? You may be able to argue that he or she lacked probable cause.
Administration of Breathalyzer test: It’s possible to challenge the administration of the Breathalyzer test, such as by arguing that the equipment was not properly maintained or the officer was not properly trained.
Accuracy of field sobriety tests: If an officer believes you to be under the influence of alcohol, he or she will typically request that you complete a variety of field sobriety tests. Improper administration can lead to inaccurate results.
With so many types of drunk driving defense strategies, the best thing you can do is learn more about how to implement each one when your day in court arrives. It can take some time to learn more about the law, your legal rights and what to expect, but all of the information you gather may help you avoid a conviction and the potentially serious punishment that goes along with it.
Source: FindLaw, “Defenses to Drunk Driving,” accessed May 11, 2018