DUI & DWI
If you drive or operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, you will be charged with DUI(driving under the influence). Especially, DUI is an offense in every state. In some states, the offense is referred to as driving while intoxicated or DWI. You will also be charged with DUI or DWI if you are caught driving or operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of narcotic drugs and certain prescription drugs. You can get more information by contacting Thomas Hogan Law Firm, a renowned DUI Lawyers in California.
Blood Alcohol Concentration
To be charged with DUI/DWI, your blood alcohol concentration must be 0.08% or more. This blood alcohol concentration is the same in all states, No exceptions.
Proving the Offense
The police must prove the charges against you. For this the police will rely on the testimony of the arresting officer and the evidence against you. The evidence against you will be in the form of the results of the field sobriety tests, breath analyzer tests and the chemical tests.
Officer Testimony
The officer will testify why he stopped you on suspicion of DUI/DWI – speeding, speeding, continuous lane change, abrupt stopping or anything that you stand out from rest of the traffic. He will then proceed to inform the court about what happened when he approached you and asked you for your license and registration – your actions, body language, signs of intoxication such as breath smelling of alcohol, reddish eyes, slurred speech, uneven body movements, etc.
The police will then rely on the results of the field sobriety tests. The officer will explain that test that you were asked to perform and how you failed the tests. Most police departments have a dash cam fixed on most police cars and the camera records what is happening in front of the car. For this reason the administering officer will ask you to take the field sobriety test while you are standing in front of the police car.Breath Analyzer and Chemical Tests
The next evidence against you will be the results of the breath analyzer tests and chemical tests i.e. blood or urine. The police will show the readings that indicated your blood alcohol concentration was 0.08% or more.
Defending a DUI/DWI charge
Once the police complete their side of the incident in court, you will be given a chance to rebut the evidence against you. An experienced DUI/DWI attorney knows that a person charged with DUI/DWI isn’t necessarily guilty as charged. The entire evidence against the person can be challenged. The police must prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt. The charges will be dropped if you manage to create even a small doubt about the accuracy of the test results.
Hiring a DUI/DWI attorney
DUI/DWI is a serious offense. Never plead guilty to a DUI/DWI charge. A no contest plea will also result in a conviction. A DUI/DWI conviction has severe penalties. Your liberty is at stake. If you have been arrested for DUI/DWI, do not speak to the police. Contact an experienced DUI/DWI attorney.