| For many people, a DUI is their first arrest and criminal | | | | How do I avoid being arrested for DUI? |
| charge. A DUI can result in serious consequences, | | | | Some people feel the wisest decision is not to give a |
| including jail time, fines, surcharges, community service, | | | | breath or blood sample. The officer will most likely tell |
| and a loss of driving privileges. In addition, people with | | | | you that you will be arrested if you don't take the |
| DUI convictions on their records find their motor vehicle | | | | breathalyzer or blood test, and that your license will be |
| insurance premiums going sky high, if they can get | | | | suspended. |
| insurance at all. Last, a DUI conviction becomes a | | | | What they don't tell you is that if you blow or have a |
| permanent part of one's driving record for life, -there | | | | blood alcohol level of .08 (the legal limit) or greater, you |
| for potential employers to see each and every time | | | | will be arrested and your license will be suspended |
| you apply for a job. | | | | anyway. |
| If you've been arrested and charged with drunk driving | | | | Do I automatically lose my license when I get arrested |
| or driving under the influence, you're facing criminal | | | | for DUI? |
| charges that have long lasting and serious effects on | | | | No. If you have been arrested for DUI act quickly and |
| your life. Call an experienced DUI attorney or DUI | | | | contact a qualified DUI lawyer as soon as possible! |
| lawyer right away. | | | | If my license is suspended for a DUI, can I get a license |
| Once you have hired a experienced DUI lawyer they | | | | to drive to work? |
| will need to work quickly to prepare your case for | | | | In almost every case, yes. Depending on your criminal |
| your first preliminary hearing or trial; to obtain a copy of | | | | and driving record, we can almost always get you a |
| the police report and videotape, to review the | | | | Restricted Driver's License that will allow you to drive |
| evidence and develop legal and factual defenses. | | | | to and from work. It will also allow you to drive |
| They should subpoena the police officer and | | | | between locations, if your job requires you to travel as |
| cross-examine him or her as part of our effort to | | | | part of your duties. |
| explore every avenue to find all the possible | | | | What are the major areas of concern in a DUI case? |
| weaknesses in the state's case against you. | | | | 1. Whether the stop was constitutional, |
| There may also need to be medical records, accident | | | | 2. Whether the administration of roadside tests was |
| reports, cell phone records, or prescription medication | | | | constitutional, |
| records that need to be obtained. The sooner the | | | | 3. Whether there was Probable Cause for the arrest, |
| facts are evaluated by a DUI lawyer or DUI attorney, | | | | 4. How Miranda warnings will play a role in the case |
| the better your chances of a favorable outcome. | | | | with statements and other evidence, |
| If I am pulled over and I am asked by an officer, "Have | | | | 5. How the Field Sobriety Tests or other roadside |
| you been drinking?" What should I say? | | | | tests were administered, |
| One approach is to answer, "I would like to speak to | | | | 6. The administration, chain of custody and |
| my attorney." No matter what DUI attorney you hire, | | | | preservation of any Breath or Blood Samples given, |
| this is often the best answer. | | | | 7. The constitutionality of the search and seizure under |
| If you say, "No" and the officer smells alcohol on your | | | | the Tennessee and United States Constitution. |
| breath you have proven yourself to be a liar and your | | | | You will soon have your day in court. It may seem that |
| lie will be used against you. | | | | everything is stacked against you, but the state |
| If you say, "Yes" you have given the officer one more | | | | prosecutor has to prove their case beyond a |
| clue and have already started making damaging | | | | reasonable doubt. That's a very high standard and a |
| admissions. Don't worry if the officer threatens to put | | | | experienced DUI attorney is going to fight to protect |
| you in jail. The officer has often already made the | | | | your rights, using every legal and investigative |
| decision to arrest you and take you to jail anyway.. | | | | technique at their disposal. |