Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offense that can result in a loss of driving privileges, hefty fines, and jail time. Fortunately, getting arrested for a DUI doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be convicted of the crime. With the help of an attorney, you can present a viable defense that lessens or eliminates the charges against you. Here are a few factors that will affect what happens with your case.

What Variables Influence the Outcome of a DUI Charge?

1. Reason for the Traffic Stop

Police officers must have a lawful reason to pull you over. This can be because they see you violating another traffic law or your driving gives them reasonable suspicion that you’re impaired. If your traffic stop wasn’t justifiable, any evidence gathered at the time of the arrest might be deemed inadmissible in court, which means it can’t be used in the prosecution’s case against you.

2. Probable Cause & Miranda Warning

Once you’ve been stopped, law enforcement may only take you into custody if they have probable cause. This requires that there’s enough evidence to rationally believe a DUI has been committed. If your arrest lacked probable cause, you have a chance of fighting the charges you face. Additionally, officers must state your Miranda rights when the arrest is made. If they fail to do so, any statements you make can be excluded from evidence.

3. Test Results

If an officer suspects you’ve been driving under the influence, they may ask you to perform a series of field sobriety tests to assess your condition. However, these tests are designed to be subjective, and it’s possible for someone sober to give the impression of impairment. It’s likely you’ll also have to take a breathalyzer and chemical tests to determine if your blood alcohol content exceeds the legal limit of 0.08. These tests are also known to be inaccurate for various reasons, including incorrect administration, poor maintenance of the testing equipment, contamination, and environmental factors that can impact the reading. DUI attorneys are often successful at challenging the reliability of such tests.

If you’ve been accused of driving impaired, don’t wait to contact Angela L Walker PC Law Office for help exploring your defense options. Attorney Walker will thoroughly investigate the details of your case to determine the best strategy for achieving a favorable outcome. Backed by over 20 years of experience, she is dedicated to fighting for the rights of Baldwin County, AL, residents and has used her knowledge of local DUI laws to establish a track record of success. Call (251) 970-2575 to schedule a consultation, or visit her website to learn more about her services.