March 1st, 2010Facing a DUI? Tips for Choosing the Best DUI Lawyer
If you have recently been arrested for DUI, you will be faced with many different kinds of penalties. These penalties commonly include monetary fines, suspension of your drivers license, and possibly jail time. Consequences for driving under the influence will vary from state to state, however the regulations have consistently became more strict over the past few years and will result in harsh penalties. It is possible to beat these penalties, but normally only if you have a DUI lawyer representing you.
DUI cases tend to become very complex in court. Although all states have a legal BAC limit for driving, you can still be charged even if you’re blood alcohol content limit is below the legal limit. For instance, if you to have one drink and drive about an hour later, you can still be charged with driving under the influence as there will still be traces of alcohol in your system. Even a situation like this can result in heavy fines and penalties.
It is critical that you take some time to find an experienced DUI lawyer as they will have a deep understanding of the law and know where the legal loopholes are that can help the outcome of your case. It is probably not worth it to go down without a fight as the penalties can include thousands of dollars in fines, placing your job in jeopardy due to possible jail time, suspension of your drivers license, and drastically increased car insurance.
There is a lot of area for mistakes by the police officer when they pull you over for drunk driving. Firstly, they need to note whether you acted or looked intoxicated, as this allows them to begin several tests. These tests are all part of a field sobriety test, which normally does not have answers that are black and white.
It all comes down to the police officer’s discretion whether or not he thinks you are drunk. Whether you have been drinking or not, the decision is solely based on his decision, which may seem unfair. When your case is taken to court it will be your word against his, and if you take your chances without a DUI lawyer they are not good.
One of the most common issues with the system is the devices that are used. When you are given a blood or breathalyzer test to gauge your degree of intoxication, it is highly likely for the equipment results to be wrong. The problem is that most people believe that these tests are always right and always rely on what they say no matter what.
Many of these types of electronic DUI machines have been discovered to be mis-calibrated, broken, or out of date. These machines can consistently give results that are wrong. Unfortunately, you cannot make this kind of determination on your own and will need a skilled lawyer to know how to pull the correct evidence.
The situation can be extremely frustrating, as even if you know you were not drunk, you do not have the resources or any way to test the devices. At the same time, you have no way to determine if the police officer had and incorrect or biased judgment. Hiring a knowledgeable DUI lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case, as they will know exactly how to fight your charges.
Discover how to choose a San Diego DUI lawyer. Stop by Timothy J Thompson’s site where you can learn about a San Diego DUI and what a lawyer can do for you.