Defending against DUI charges is important because of the far-reaching consequences drunk driving charges can have on the personal and professional lives of accused drivers. There are a variety of criminal defense options that may be available to the accused driver and which one is best depends on the specific situation and circumstances which is why it is crucial for accused drivers to be aware of their criminal defense options.
To begin with, it is important to determine if the initial traffic stop that resulted in the DUI charges was legal. There are certain legal thresholds and requirements that authorities must meet for a traffic stop to be legal. In addition, it may be possible to challenge the results of a breathalyzer or field sobriety test if there is a reason to question their accuracy or reliability. Both types of tests must be conducted in accordance with appropriate training received by the police officer. In addition, breathalyzer tests must be routinely and regularly maintained and calibrated to produce accurate and reliable results.
In addition, there are several different criminal defense options that fall into the category of affirmative defenses that depend on the specific situation and circumstances. Accused drivers should be aware that affirmative defense options include necessity, duress, entrapment, mistake of fact and involuntary intoxication so they can determine if any of those defense options apply to their situation and circumstances.
Accused drivers face a litany of potential penalties and consequences associated with drunk driving charges including fines, jail time and the potential loss of their license. With so much on the line when a driver has been accused of driving under the influence, accused drivers should ensure they know all of the criminal defense options available to them.