Steps Followed By A Bucks County DUI Defense Attorney In Dealing With DUI Cases

By Sarah Reed


The American justice system does not joke about drunk driving. As a result, most Americans would do anything to avoid a DUI charge. Statistics shows that out of the 1.5 million DUI cases that make it the courts, 85 percent end up in convictions. The conviction rates differ from state to state, but in general, it is not easy to beat a DWI charge unless you have a really good lawyer. Getting a competent Bucks County DUI Defense Attorney to represent your case will raise your chances of getting acquitted. Below are steps that are normally followed when dealing with a DWI.

First, you will get arrested. This normally happens if you are flagged down for a traffic offense. In case you are stopped with no reasonable probable cause, your attorney may be able to get your DUI charges dropped. The common violations that lead to being flagged down include running red lights, hitting other vehicles, and weaving carelessly through traffic among others.

After the officer stops you, they may notice that you have alcohol in your breath and that you have other signs of intoxication. Normally, this is the point at which the officer asks you to step out of your car. The normal field sobriety tests will be administered. These include counting backwards, being told to walk in a straight line, reciting the alphabet backwards and other alcohol screening techniques. If the officer notices that you are behaving in a manner to show you are under the influence of alcohol, the arrest will follow.

When you get to the precinct, your BAC levels will be tested. This cannot be done without your consent. However, refusal more often than not leads to automatic confiscation of the license. If the BAC levels exceed 0.08 percent, you will most likely get charged in a court of law. You may also get tested for other drugs during this step.

If charges will be filed, you will temporarily lose your drivers license. This will be placed by a pink permit that is valid for 30 days. Your license will be sent to the DMV, and when the case ends, the department may require you to go to driving classes again. When the files are handed to the local prosecutors, they will choose whether to charge you or not.

When the prosecutor files the charges, your case starts. You will get the choice to pick a public defender, hire a private lawyer or represent yourself. Hiring a competent attorney is the smartest option here. The date for the hearing will be set, where you get to defend yourself.

There are many defense choices open to experienced lawyers. The most common includes challenging the results of the field sobriety test. The probable cause of the traffic stop is another defense line that attorneys use. They may also challenge the competence of the officer that performed the tests.

A trained and experienced attorney will study your case and know the tactic to follow to bring down the case. They will work day and night and ensure that you get an acquittal. As long as you have a competent lawyer, DUI cases will not be half as stressful.




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