Everyone knows the dangers of driving after drinking alcohol. Nevertheless, 300,000 people engage in drunk driving every day, of which only 4,000 are arrested. Driving while impaired does not put only the driver in danger but also the other people on the road. Therefore, a DUI is considered a severe crime.
If you are charged with a DUI, you should be prepared with a criminal defense lawyer Knoxville, TN; otherwise, you can expect a long period of legal hassles. A DUI can result in license suspension, fines, and even jail time. Thankfully, an experienced attorney can help you fight the case with effective defenses.
Different defenses used against DUI charges
- You were driving poorly but not under the influence.
A police officer usually suspects a driver of a DUI when they see them driving erratically. If you are accused of driving drunk, your lawyer could argue that you simply drove badly but were completely sober during the drive. Your attorney can use two facts with this defense.
- Most traffic violations are committed by sober people.
- Driving badly does not equal a DUI.
- Alcohol testing can be inaccurate.
When a police officer suspects a DUI, they conduct a breath test to determine whether there are alcohol particles in your breath, which reveals the alcohol level in your blood. This is a very unreliable method of measurement and can result in inaccurate readings. Therefore, your attorney can argue that a single breathalyzer test is not sufficient to prove you guilty.
- The police unlawfully stopped you.
The police can only ask you to pull over when they have a valid reason. They must have a reasonable reason for their suspicion, including:
- Driving at night without headlights.
- Swerving.
- Abruptly changing lanes.
- Not turning on indicators when needed.
- Responding too slowly to traffic signals, etc.
If the police cannot state the specific reasons they asked to stop your car, they do not have probable cause to arrest you.
- DUI symptoms can result from other conditions too.
When a person is drunk, it can usually be determined by their face and way of speaking. Some obvious signs of being drunk may be red eyes, flushed face, slurred speech, a strong odor of alcohol, and an unsteady gait. While some of these symptoms directly indicate a DUI, the others could also have other explanations. For example, red, watery eyes could also result from an allergy.
A DUI is a severe offense, and if you are charged with one, you may be feeling anxious about what your future holds. Thankfully, there are many ways an attorney can defend you and help you get out of legal trouble. Book your consultation session today.
