Each year nearly 1.5 million adults in the united states are arrested for driving drunk or under the influence of alcohol. For individuals that find themselves in this all-too-common scenario, many penalties can come from a poor judgment call to get behind the wheel including a substantial fine, driving ban, up to 60 days in prison – or more severe consequences like causing a fatality. While most individuals can agree that driving under the influence of alcohol is a bad idea, it is important to know what the best DUI defense options are if you have a lapse in judgment and get arrested.
Once charged with a DUI, many people become scared or upset and may start to wonder how these charges may affect their relationships, career or life trajectory. The legal team at Amber Law Group understands these feelings because we have helped countless Oklahomans in similar situations that had those same feelings of uncertainty. When you become a client of Amber Law Group, you can rest easy knowing we will take care of you throughout the entirety of your DUI case; however, some of the DUI defense options that you may consider to minimize your charges or get the case thrown out completely include:
Claiming an Unlawful Traffic Stop
One important thing to keep in mind when preparing your DUI defense options is that you need to know why you were pulled over in the first place. There are no circumstances in which a police officer can pull over a vehicle without just cause and the reason for the traffic stuff must be proven or demonstrated. If the police officer is unable to explain or demonstrate why you were pulled over in the first place, you may be able to get the case thrown out and the DUI charges removed.
Being Denied Attorney Contact
It can be incredibly difficult to formulate a DUI defense plan if you are denied access to a lawyer following an arrest. And, even if you are denied this option, it is every individual’s right to have contact with a DUI attorney whenever they are arrested for driving drunk. If an individual is denied legal counsel, the arrest will automatically be deemed unlawful and it will not be much of a challenge to ensure the case gets thrown out and any associated charges are dropped.
Questioning Breath Alcohol Test Accuracy
When a driver is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, the first test they will typically be given is a blood alcohol test. Fortunately, these tests are not enough to prove a driver was intoxicated on their own since different external factors may affect the results that a blood alcohol test can achieve. Working with an attorney will ensure that this piece of evidence is often thrown out as part of a DUI defense strategy.
Challenging Field Sobriety Test Results
Police officers often have a variety of field sobriety tests in their arsenal that can be used to determine if a DUI arrest is warranted; however, many of these tests are not standardized. Some drivers may have trouble completing filed sobriety tests even while they are sober – making these tests roughly 60% to 70% accurate. Therefore, it is often hard to prove intoxication through a field sobriety test alone and other methods like a blood alcohol test must be administered for a full view.
Disputing Who Was Driving
There is often a clear difference between having physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated and just being a passenger. Many attorneys will demand proof that the individual arrested for a DUI was the one driving the car to dispute the DUI charges a client is facing. If no one can definitively prove that you were in fact the one driving, it can be much harder for charges to stick and will be more likely that the dispute will have favorable results.
At Amber Law Group, we know that no DUI case is the same and have successfully defended countless DUI charges. You may be feeling guilt and shame from your arrest, but you deserve an experienced criminal attorney who can effectively represent you and your rights. Contact us today at 918-895-7216. We have offices in Tulsa and McAlester that are waiting for your call.
