| A DUI case may seem fairly straightforward and | | | | officer who pulled you over. Stay calm, and refuse to |
| based solely on the results of a blood or breath alcohol | | | | answer any questions without your DUI lawyer |
| test, but in fact there are many factors that can affect | | | | present. The arrest is when the evidence against you |
| the outcome of a DUI case. | | | | is collected; make the state's case as weak as |
| The most important factor is whether a breathalyzer | | | | possible by not providing them additional evidence to |
| test was performed and its outcome. In many cases, a | | | | work with. During this time, the officer is watching your |
| breathalyzer test yields a significantly higher result than | | | | behavior carefully, even when not asking you |
| a blood alcohol test taken the same time. Though | | | | questions. |
| these test results are relatively unreliable, they will | | | | Not only is your conduct once once you are stopped a |
| usually hold up in court. If you are stopped on suspicion | | | | factor in your DUI case, but so are your actions while |
| of DUI, do not submit to a field breathalyzer test. If | | | | driving under the influence. If you commit traffic |
| your case is built on breathalyzer test results, it is | | | | violations or hit anyone or anything while intoxicated, |
| imperative that you consult with a DUI lawyer to avoid | | | | your chances of being convicted of DUI increase. |
| a possible wrongful conviction. | | | | They also give the officer clear reason to pull you |
| The next important DUI case factors are the results of | | | | over, so your DUI lawyer will have no basis to argue |
| blood alcohol tests or field sobriety tests. Though not | | | | that the officer did not have probable cause to stop |
| as accurate as a breathalyzer for measuring your | | | | you. |
| blood alcohol content at the time of your arrest, a field | | | | Finally, your DUI case rests on which judge is assigned |
| sobriety test is easily administered. Always refuse | | | | to your case and the quality of your legal |
| these tests if stopped on suspicion of a DUI; all they do | | | | representation. Some judges are known to be stricter |
| is give police evidence against you that they would not | | | | than others. An experienced DUI lawyer can fight on |
| otherwise have. In some cases, people with illnesses, | | | | your behalf to get you acquitted, and will know all of |
| disabilities, or impairments may fail field sobriety tests | | | | the ins and outs regarding the alcohol tests |
| even when sober. If you are arrested for DUI, it is | | | | administered when you were arrested for DUI. There |
| probably in your best interests to submit to a blood | | | | are many specific rules which must be followed for |
| test when asked, though a good DUI lawyer may be | | | | the evidence, including test results, to be admissible in |
| successful in showing errors in this test, casting doubts | | | | court. Both the judge and your lawyer can greatly |
| on your true level of intoxication. | | | | influence the outcome of your case. Without a DUI |
| Not only do the results of these tests matter to the | | | | lawyer, your chances of being convicted of DUI are |
| outcome of your DUI case, but so does your conduct | | | | far greater. Knowing your legal rights when you are |
| during the arrest. Even if you refuse to submit to a | | | | arrested and obtaining a qualified DUI attorney are the |
| breathalyzer or field sobriety test, be polite to the | | | | best ways to avoid a DUI conviction. |