| Drunk driving or Driving under Influence (DUI) is a | | | | studies question the accuracy and scientific validity of |
| serious offense under New Jersey Laws. A conviction | | | | these tests. The defense attorney can get a pre-trial |
| entails financial penalties, jail terms, community service | | | | ruling that these tests are not valid evidence. |
| and loss of a driving license for a certain period of | | | | The misconception is that drunk driving is a minor |
| time. | | | | offense. A DUI conviction can have a severe financial, |
| DUI cases have increased by thousands all over the | | | | social and psychological hardship on the defendant. A |
| state. Because of the increasing severity in penalties, | | | | DUI defense attorney must not leave any stone |
| most of those charged by DUI must seek alternatives | | | | unturned in defending his client |
| to pleading guilty. Anyone charged with a DUI needs a | | | | There is a myth that DUI cases can't be won, and |
| good attorney. | | | | often times attorneys advise their clients to plead guilty. |
| The Defense accepts that most people charged are | | | | It is best to refer the case to a jury trial. When jury |
| guilty, which not always the case. The evidence | | | | trials are available, success rates of acquittal are |
| against the offender brought by the police in the form | | | | amazingly better. |
| of an ultra red breath analyzer is subject to serious | | | | Finally, a DUI case is not like any other criminal case. In |
| errors. The breath analyzer is regarded as tried and | | | | any criminal case, physical evidence is collected and |
| evidence, but it can be inadequate and can easily be a | | | | preserved, subject to independent analysis by the |
| point of attack by a defense counsel. | | | | defending attorney. But in case of DUI, breath tests do |
| Also, 'opinion' is gathered by police officers through s | | | | not have to be saved. There are also Sobriety Check |
| field sobriety tests. These tests are supposed to | | | | points that are set up by police departments to check |
| reveal the agility and sobriety of drivers. But recent | | | | DUI violations. |