Is It Worth Your Time To Hire A DUI Attorney?
Deciding whether to plead to charges or mount a defense when you've been accused of driving under the influence is a complex choice. You may want to take the time to conduct consultations with DUI attorney, but you'll eventually have to make a decision about how to proceed. These three situations represent the times when you should seriously consider hiring a DUI attorney.
You Know You're Absolutely Innocent
If you know 100% sure for a fact that you had not consumed any alcohol or drugs on the day you were pulled over, you'll likely be itching to present your case to the court. There are a variety of reasons a false positive might occur. At the mundane end of the spectrum, you have an argument that the equipment used must have been faulty. At the exotic end of the scale, you may be able to prove that you have a disorder, such as gut-fermentation syndrome, that might produce a positive even though you weren't drinking.
The Police Messed Up
A number of things can go wrong when the police handle any case. The most obvious argument a DUI attorney services firm might present is that there was no probable cause for an officer to actually pull a driver over. Your DUI attorney can then ask the court to compel the police to hand over evidence potentially proving your claim, including body and dash cam video footage.
The police may also make mistakes in the handling of a stop or even in dealing with evidence after the fact. You might question exactly how the cops applied the field sobriety test in order find cause for a breathalyzer test to be administered. Some types of drug tests may even require blood tests, and that will mean the police will have to take you to a station. If anyone makes a mistake handling the chain of custody with the blood sample, an attorney may be able to get the court to throw out the evidence.
Your Situation is Dire
A lawyer will not typically encourage a client to push a case, but there are circumstances that might be compelling enough for an individual to put up a fight. Someone on probation may see going to court as a Hail Mary to try to avoid being violated on the terms of their release. You always have the right to make the state prove its case.