| After being charged with a DUI, you may feel | | | | field sobriety tests or tests to measure your blood |
| powerless to fight the charge. However, just because | | | | alcohol content level. Breathalyzers are not always |
| you have been arrested or charged with this crime | | | | accurate since they do not directly measure the |
| does not mean that you will actually be convicted and | | | | amount of alcohol in the body and instead rely on a |
| forced to face the punishment. By working with an | | | | mathematical calculation. Even blood tests, which are |
| experienced drunk driving attorney knowledgeable in all | | | | by far the most accurate indicator of blood alcohol |
| aspects of DUI law, you may be able to effectively | | | | content, can be mishandled during administration and |
| fight against your charge. | | | | processing. Even if a test indicates that you are over |
| The United States constitution protects citizens from | | | | the legal limit, your DUI attorney can challenge: |
| unreasonable searches and seizures and requires an | | | | - The testing procedure itself, such as how the test |
| arrest to be made based on probably cause. Under | | | | was conducted or the inaccuracy of measuring |
| this protection, a police officer cannot stop a vehicle | | | | instruments. |
| randomly unless the officer has sufficient probable | | | | - The manner in which a blood or urine sample was |
| cause to do so. Random stops, known as sobriety | | | | collected, handled, or stored. |
| checkpoints, are allowed in some states, but are | | | | - The test results. |
| prohibited in Rhode Island under the state constitution. If | | | | - The actions of the arresting officer. |
| your vehicle was unfairly searched or if your arrest | | | | - The original reason for the traffic stop. If you have |
| was not based on probable cause, a drunk driving | | | | been charged with driving under the influence of |
| lawyer can fight the validity of your charge. | | | | alcohol, it is important to seek legal help. Your drunk |
| Even if you were stopped under fair pretenses, an | | | | driving defense lawyer can evaluate your case and |
| officer can still make mistakes during the DUI arrest. | | | | determine if you were charged unfairly because of a |
| For example, an officer must read you your Miranda | | | | police error or another unfair situation. To learn more |
| rights. If the officer fails to do so or presents | | | | about field sobriety tests, breathalyzer accuracy, and |
| excessive questioning before reading the rights, your | | | | other topics related to a drunk driving charge, visit the |
| DUI attorney may be able to have the case dismissed | | | | website of Rhode Island DUI defense attorney James |
| or may challenge the credibility of the arresting officer. | | | | Powderly. |
| In addition, mistakes can be made while administering | | | | |