If I Have Been Arrested For DUI, Am I Automatically Guilty?

You've been charged with driving under the influence inWhat most people fail to realize is that all Virginia DUI
Virginia. After being pulled over by a police officer, youcases are unique. So while prosecutors must stick to a
were arrested, taken to a Virginia police station,certain procedure in trying a DUI case, DUI defense
searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and maybeattorneys in Virginia have much more latitude and can
even tossed into jail. But as horrible as this experienceaddress each individual case in its own way in order to
was for you, you must remember one thing: you arefight for a "not guilty" verdict. Numerous DUI charges in
not automatically guilty if you are charged with aVirginia have been successfully fought by addressing:
Virginia DUI.• the reasonable suspicion needed to pull over a
You may not believe this to be true, but it is. You mayperson for drunk driving in Virginia
be guilty in the sense that you feel remorse and• methods used to determine that a person is
reproach for your actions. But just being arrested forintoxicated (such as field sobriety tests, which are
DUI does not make you guilty in the eyes of the law.often subjective and faulty)
Know Your Rights• procedures and/or policies followed by law
Many people who face DUI charges in Virginiaenforcement during a DUI arrest in Virginia
automatically begin thinking about fines, jail time, and• the accuracy of documentation in a Virginia DUI
license suspensions. But much - if not all - of thosecase
penalties can be avoided if you remain aware of what• the legality of evidence and/or how it was
your rights are under the law.obtained (such as during an illegal search of a vehicle)
Your rights include:But in order to effectively battle a DUI charge, you
• the right to refuse to answer questions asked bymust secure the services of a competent Virginia DUI
law enforcementdefense attorney. Lawyers who do not know the
• the right to enlist the assistance of a Virginia DUIintricacies and nuances of Virginia's DUI laws may not
defense attorneybe able to provide you with an adequate legal defense.
• the right to examine and question the evidenceBe sure that you find a defense attorney who has
against youexperience in arguing and winning cases involving
• the right to a trial to determine innocence or guiltVirginia DUI charges.
Virginia DUI Cases Are Unique