Driving under the influence of alcohol doesn’t always result in trouble with the law, but when it does it’s critical that you take the appropriate steps to protect your legal rights.
There are many ways to defend yourself against drunk driving charges, and with the right approach you may be able to avoid a conviction and the many consequences associated with it.
Here are some of the most common DUI defense strategies:
- Improper stop: This is one of the first strategies your legal team will consider. It involves a claim that the arresting officer did not have probable cause to stop your vehicle in the first place.
- Inaccurate field sobriety test: There are many things that can result in inaccurate results, such as improper administration or neglecting to explain what’s expected of you.
- Inaccurate Breathalyzer test results: Even though breathalyzer tests are designed for accuracy, this doesn’t always hold true. For example, if the officer doesn’t administer the test in the appropriate manner, it could result in a false reading. The same holds true if the equipment was not properly maintained.
- Rising blood alcohol concentration level: A lot of time can elapse between when you’re first pulled over for suspicion of DUI and when the officer administers a test to check your blood alcohol concentration level. This leaves open the possibility that your level increased during this time, meaning you may not have been legally drunk while operating your vehicle.
- Administration of a blood test: This sounds simple enough, but a lot can go wrong during the administration of a blood test. This includes how the test was taken, as well as the handling of the results.
Regardless of the details associated with your case, it’s important that you take steps to protect your legal rights. And when you do that, you’ll end up with a defense strategy you can lean on.
In Tennessee, even a first time conviction of DUI is serious. Consequences include:
- A minimum of 48 hours in jail
- Driver’s license revocation for a period of one year
- A fine as high as $1,500
- Mandatory participation in an alcohol and drug treatment program
Employ a defense strategy that can help you avoid these far-reaching penalties.
