Defending Against DUI Charges

The police are constantly on the lookout for individuals who break the law by driving drunk. They regularly pull over vehicles, particularly on weekend nights and holidays, to determine if drivers have been drinking. Sometimes the police have probable cause to pull over a car, such as when a driver is swerving or driving inconsistently.

In other cases, vehicles may be pulled over at random and the drivers may be subjected to a sobriety test or Breathalyzer test. When police do not have probable cause or violate your rights, they may be found to be in violation of proper procedure and the charges against you may be reduced or dropped altogether.

Even if you are not drunk, getting pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving can be nerve-wracking. You may be asked to perform a number of different sobriety tests, such as walking on a line or standing on one foot. The problem with these tests is that they are subjective; just because your sense of balance is off does not mean you are drunk. You could be nervous, tired, disoriented, or just have a poor sense of balance. Police often use these tactics against drivers to deem whether or not they should be arrested for drunk driving, even though the tests themselves are unreliable.

If you are arrested for drunk driving, remember that you have certain rights and do not have to give information to the police. You may refuse to take a field sobriety test or a Breathalyzer test if you choose. Your driver's license will be automatically suspended if you refuse, but the police will not be able to use the possibly faulty evidence from a test against you if you do not take it.

Also, remember that you have the right to remain silent and do not have to submit to questioning. You can invoke your right to speak with a lawyer instead, which can protect you from being tricked into admitting guilt or giving up evidence that could later be used against you in court.

Contact Us

If you have been charged with drunk driving, you deserve high-quality legal assistance. An experienced criminal defense attorney will work with you to provide sound legal advice and assistance throughout your case so that you can fight the charges brought against you. To learn more about how you can begin preparing your defense, please contact Austin criminal lawyer Ian Inglis today at 512-472-1950.