If the police charge you with driving under the influence (DUI), you need to look carefully at your defense options. Whatever the situation, it’s vital to remember that there is always a chance you can beat the charges or minimize the consequences. No case is ever set in stone.
Here are some of the most commonly used DUI defenses
1. The police had no right to stop you in the first place
While the police have a right to stop people, people also have a right to go about their lives without being stopped. Thus, the law only allows police officers to stop people for specific reasons. If the police cannot adequately explain why they had reasonable suspicion to stop you in the first place, a court may declare any evidence they gained invalid and free you without charge.
2. A test was inaccurate
Even the best scientists can make errors when carrying out tests. The police officers who carry out roadside tests won’t have rigorous scientific training, so they are even more likely to make mistakes.
3. There were chain-of-custody errors
Any sample taken from you could be vital as evidence to show you were illegally intoxicated. If someone at the police station or lab fails to follow proper storage and labeling procedures, it might offer you a glimmer of hope. If you can cast doubt on whether they can definitively prove the sample is yours or not, then it may be enough for a court to let you off.
These are not the sort of arguments you should try making to a court yourself. With so much at stake, you’ll want an experienced legal team to present your defense on your behalf.