A drunk driving charge isn’t the same as a conviction
Even if you know better than to drive under the influence of alcohol, you thought you were fine to drive because it had been quite a while since you’d last had a drink. Unfortunately, there’s always a chance you could be pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).
While this is sure to change your life, there are steps you can take to protect your legal rights and minimize the impact.
It’s important to remember that a drunk driving charge isn’t the same as a conviction. In other words, there are defense strategies you can use to prevent a conviction and all the penalties associated with it.
Here are some possible issues that can apply to your case:
- Improper stop: The arresting officer must have had probable cause to pull you over. If you can prove that they didn’t, that may undercut the entire reason you’re suspected of being inebriated.
- Inaccurate field sobriety test: The officer is likely to ask you to complete one or more field sobriety tests. However, field sobriety tests can be deeply flawed and give an inaccurate picture of your sobriety.
- Inaccurate Breathalyzer test: Even though Breathalyzer devices are designed for accuracy, mistakes can happen. For example, maybe the device isn’t properly calibrated or maintained. Any mistake can result in a false reading.
Even though you’re worried about what’s to come as the result of your day in court, don’t let that stop you from learning more about your legal rights and the defense strategies you can use to protect them — especially if you think that you are innocent of the charges.
If you’re successful in avoiding a conviction, you can soon put this part of your life in the past.