A conviction for DUI (driving under the influence) can have lasting and devastating consequences on your life
. This is why it is so important that you seek to hire an experienced DC DUI lawyer as soon as possible after being charged with DUI offences.
DUI cases in Washington DC are taken very seriously which is why representing yourself in court is never advised. Hiring a qualified DC DUI lawyer will give you the best chance of either being acquitted of all charges or of being given a lighter penalty. Most DUI lawyers will only specialize in DUI cases which mean they have expert knowledge of the law, the court process and the best line of defense for your particular case.
Whilst you may think a charge of drink driving is a minor offense it can actually be one of the most complicated charges to prosecute because of the nature of the evidence involved. Because of this your DC DUI lawyer is able to challenge the evidence against you and put forward different technical defenses which could aid your case and result in you avoiding conviction.
Many DUI cases rest upon the blood alcohol tests administered after arrest. It can be argued however, that these tests are incorrect or even inadmissible because of the way they were carried out, improperly administered tests, faulty equipment or the person administering the test was not properly trained to carry out such a procedure. There may also be cause to argue that medications or medical conditions influenced the results.
In other cases the defense can argue that the police had insufficient evidence or grounds to arrest the defendant, that someone else was driving the vehicle or that there was no impairment to the defendants driving ability at the time of observing them or when they were stopped. Proving this however relies on witnesses being sought as a police officers testimony makes them a very influential witness.
Hiring a qualified DC DUI lawyer will not only aid your defense in court, but they can also help to manage the legal process leading up to the court hearing. Dealing with the state motor vehicle department can be a very frustrating experience, but your lawyer can deal with them for you including all paperwork, phone calls and the license hearing at the department. They can also be invaluable in helping you to understand the law as it applies in your case, the legal process that will commence and the penalties that could be applied.