| If you've been pulled over by the police for a DUI, you | | | | probable cause for the initial stop. If this strategy |
| have a hard road ahead of you. Driving under the | | | | works, your attorney will then submit a petition to |
| influence, or DUI, demands immediate action on your | | | | suppress any evidence that the police officer obtained |
| part to ensure that your license will not be suspended | | | | when you were pulled over. |
| or revoked and you don't end up spending a lot of time | | | | Your lawyer may also dispute the BAC results and |
| in jail. | | | | claim they are unreliable. BAC stands for the Blood |
| Why hire a DUI criminal defense attorney? In a number | | | | Alcohol Content test that is used by police to see if an |
| of states, including Arizona, a DUI charge generates | | | | individual's blood alcohol level has reached or passed |
| two individual cases. The primary case is filed with the | | | | the maximum limit. The results could be considered |
| Department of Motor Vehicles, while the other case | | | | faulty if your attorney can prove that the equipment |
| filed in criminal court. Since criminal defense lawyers | | | | has not been appropriately maintained or the test |
| have sparred in court with the same prosecutors on | | | | wasn't correctly administered. If you have a health |
| many occasions, they are familiar with the strategy the | | | | condition that could affect the reliability of the BAC |
| opposing lawyers will be using and know how to | | | | test, your lawyer will pursue that avenue. |
| defend you. | | | | Your attorney will also question the police officers and |
| When a DUI lawyer takes on your case, you'll be | | | | attempt to prove there are inconsistencies in their |
| asked exactly what occurred from the moment you | | | | testimony compared with the police report they filed. If |
| were pulled over. After you give your account of what | | | | he can cast doubt on the credibility of the arresting |
| happened, they'll explain what's going to happen, | | | | officers, you could get a 'not guilty' decision. |
| including what will take place if the case goes to trial. | | | | If the arresting officers processed you properly, and |
| Your attorney will review the police report, interview | | | | things are not working in your favor, then your DUI |
| witnesses and examine the evidence. Given that it is | | | | lawyer may recommend that you accept a plea |
| tough to manage and review the whole thing on their | | | | agreement. However, if you don't want to negotiate, |
| own, they often have their office paralegals assist | | | | you can choose to go to court. If you're defeated in |
| them. | | | | court, you can attempt to appeal the verdict. |
| You will have to go to criminal court within ten days | | | | Keep in mind that if you're convicted of a DUI, you can |
| from the date of the arrest. You will be requested to | | | | expect huge fines and jail time. All of that is in addition |
| enter a plea of 'guilty' or 'not guilty'. Odds are, your | | | | to a huge increase in your car insurance rates, |
| criminal defense attorney will tell you to plead 'not guilty' | | | | limitations on future employment opportunities, and a |
| to the charges. This will give him time to review the | | | | permanent felony record. So using the services of a |
| details of your case so your defense can be | | | | criminal defense attorney is really the only logical |
| established. | | | | approach to defending yourself if you get arrested for |
| You attorney has tactics that he'll use to help you get | | | | driving under the influence of alcohol. |
| out of a DUI. He may, for example, argue lack of | | | | |