Seattle DUI Attorney
Every case involving driving under the influence (DUI) is different. The right Seattle DUI attorney will investigate the circumstances of your arrest, the accusations present, and any applicable evidence to come up with DUI defenses designed to protect your rights and uphold your innocence in court. Here are a few of the most common DUI defenses your attorney might use:
Circumstances of Arrest: The circumstances surrounding your pullover and arrest are a good starting place for any Seattle DUI defense lawyer. For example, swerving in your car could mean that you were intoxicated - or that you were weaving in order to avoid an obstacle in the road. Varied or slow speeds and other traffic violations are not always grounds for a DUI-related pullover. Your attorney will try to prove that your behavior on the road was unrelated to your drunk driving charge. In addition, if you were not stopped for an identifiable reason (i.e. the officer thought you were driving under the influence or violating a traffic law), your attorney might argue to drop the case due to an illegal pullover.
Behavior at the Time of Arrest: Everyone knows the signs of intoxication. But symptoms like slurring one's speech, enlarged pupils, nervous stuttering or inarticulate speech don't necessarily mean you are under the influence. In fact, your lawyer might argue that you were nervous due to being pulled over, having an allergy attack, ill, tired, or otherwise indisposed - all DUI defenses that could keep you out of jail.
Applicability of Field Sobriety and Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Tests: If you were under the influence of medication or lacked proper sleep at the time of your arrest, your ability to perform the field sobriety testing regularly performed by officers during pullovers could have been significantly impaired. In addition, breathalyzers and other blood alcohol content measuring devices are notorious for user error, miscalibration, and improper use. Your attorney will go over the police report and applicable evidence with a fine-toothed comb to determine whether the on-site testing was applicable and admissible.
These Seattle DUI defenses are only the tip of the iceberg. The right DUI lawyer can draw upon years of experience to find the DUI defense that fits your situation and can keep you out of jail and on the roads. Don't "go it alone" when it comes to DUI defense - arm yourself with an attorney who knows the law inside and out and boasts a long-standing track record of successful criminal defense. At McNeese & Trotsky, we know that a DUI conviction doesn't just mean a large fine and some jail time. It can ruin your reputation and have longstanding consequences for your personal and professional life. Call today for a free case consultation. It's confidential and free of charge.
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