A DC DUI Defense Attorney Could Help You Defend Yourself
pexels
In DC, it is illegal to operate or be in physical control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. A DC DUI defense attorney could help you defend yourself against DUI charges.
An attorney could build a strong defense for your case, including challenging the legality of the traffic stop and breathalyzer test. They could also appear with you at your arraignment and status hearings.
Challenge the legality of the traffic stop
DC law defines DUI as having actual physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated. This can include driving, pushing or parking. It is possible to be charged with a DUI in the District of Columbia even if you are not driving, so it’s important to hire a DUI lawyer who will fight for your rights.
A DC DUI defense attorney could find holes in the prosecution’s case that might result in having your charges dismissed. For example, it is possible that the traffic stop did not meet the statutory requirements for a DUI arrest. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has developed a number of determinants that police officers must follow in order to legally pull over a driver. A DC DUI defense attorney will be able to examine the details of the traffic stop and develop a defense strategy.
Challenge the legality of the breathalyzer test
When someone is arrested for DUI, the police must ask them to provide a sample of their breath or urine for analysis. This is a requirement of implied consent under District of Columbia law.
People who refuse to take the test can face a mandatory jail sentence, fines, license revocation and more. A DC DUI defense attorney could help individuals fight these charges.
The attorneys at a firm could also challenge the results of the breath or blood tests based on a number of factors. They could also appear at a person’s arraignment or status hearing to protect their legal rights.
A knowledgeable DC DUI lawyer could also help a person with a civil case against the plaintiff. They could also fight to get their case dismissed.
Challenge the legality of the blood test
In Washington, DC, it is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A DUI conviction can cause serious consequences including jail time, fines, license suspension, and more. It can also impact a person’s ability to find gainful employment, obtain government security clearances, rent an apartment or secure financing for a home.
The District of Columbia’s implied consent law requires that drivers submit to a breath, blood, or urine test upon arrest for driving under the influence. Refusing to take the test can lead to penalties such as license suspension.
A DC DUI defense attorney can challenge the validity of a blood test by reviewing how the sample was obtained and how it was stored. The attorney may also challenge the accuracy of the results.
Challenge the legality of the urine test
Under DC law, a DUI conviction requires the government to prove that you were in physical control of the vehicle and that your ability to drive was impaired by alcohol or drugs. A good DC criminal defense lawyer will look for ways to undermine this evidence or at least weaken the prosecutor’s case.
Under Washington, DC’s implied consent laws, you must take a breath, blood or urine test if requested by the police officer. Refusing these chemical tests results in the immediate suspension of your driver’s license.
A skilled DC DUI attorney may be able to get your charges reduced to avoid jail time, fines and mandatory DUI courses or drug and alcohol treatment programs. Even a first-time DUI conviction can impact a person’s chances of finding gainful employment, obtaining a security clearance or getting financing for a home or apartment and gaining entry into certain educational institutions.
Challenge the legality of the video evidence
A DUI conviction can be a significant setback to a person’s life. It could affect their ability to obtain gainful employment, secure government-related security clearances, occupy certain apartments or condominiums, and pursue future educational opportunities.
A good DC DUI defense attorney can challenge the evidence used against a person at trial, including any breath or urine tests they refused to take. Breathalyzers and urinalysis tests are not infallible science and they are administered by humans. It is possible for a skilled lawyer to use video evidence to help their client.
A DC DUI attorney can also make sure that the prosecution adheres to its legal obligation to disclose and preserve evidence in a case. This can be a big deal, since it’s possible to get a case dismissed if the prosecutor fails to preserve or disclose any relevant evidence.
