When you’re hit with a DUI or DWI charge, you might feel like you have no choice but to accept the penalty and move on. However, with the help of a criminal defense attorney, you might not have to live with this stain on your record. Consult the following guide to learn what these terms mean, and how you can fight the charges.

What’s the Difference Between a DUI & a DWI Charge?

DUI stands for “driving under the influence.” DWI stands for “driving while intoxicated or impaired.” This means that the driver has been found operating a vehicle with alcohol, recreational drugs, or prescription drugs that impair driving abilities in their system. Some states use one term or the other, while states like Connecticut use both terms interchangeably. In this state, you may be charged with a DWI or DUI if you are over 21 and have a blood alcohol content equal to or higher than 0.08. If you are under 21, you can be charged with a BAC of 0.02 or higher.

How Will a Criminal Defense Lawyer Fight These Charges?

If you’re charged with a DWI or a DUI, your attorney may use a number of tactics to try and clear your record. First, they will look at the way you were approached by law enforcement. Your attorney may try to prove that the officer had no probable cause to pull you over, such as by showing traffic camera footage of the incident. Or, they may try to prove that the test they used to measure your sobriety, such as a breathalyzer, was faulty or unreliable. You might even be able to fight a DWI or DUI if you have a certain medical condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can affect the breathalyzer test.

If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence and want to fight for your rights, contact the criminal defense lawyers at Peck & Peck Attorneys at Law. This father-and-son team has been helping clients throughout the Hartford, CT, area for over 35 years. In addition to DUIs and DWIs, they also deal with personal injury cases, such as car accidents. To learn more about their practice areas, visit the website or call (860) 236-4782 to arrange for a consultation.