4 Paths to Victory in a DUI Case

 Posted on September 23, 2022 in DUI

 Intoxicated driving charges are serious. There is a stigma attached to DUI convictions. You may face socioeconomic consequences in addition to any judicial penalties ordered. Even as a misdemeanor, a DUI can result in a term of incarceration, a loss of driving privileges, and steep fines. As a felony, the consequences may be even more dire. Particularly if someone was injured, courts take intoxicated driving seriously and are unlikely to show leniency. However, a conviction is not assured at the outset of the case. In our justice system, you have the opportunity to present a defense that may result in a dismissal or acquittal at trial. This is why you need a skilled attorney to carefully assess every aspect of your case in order to build the strongest defense possible. If you have been arrested for DUI, it is critical that you contact an attorney as soon as you are able to. 

Reasons Your DUI Case May Not Result in a Conviction

There are a number of legal tools an attorney may use to invalidate some critical piece of evidence or to raise reasonable doubt at trial. Potential paths to dismissal or acquittal may include: 

• Invalid chemical testing result - Police officers must follow a highly specific procedure in order to obtain a valid biological sample to test for the presence of alcohol or drugs. Any missed steps, left-out precautions, or an uncalibrated instrument can result in an invalid test. 

• Roadside testing errors - The conditions under which you were asked to perform field sobriety testing may have been unfair, setting you up to fail. A slanted or muddy surface can affect the results of field sobriety testing, as can wearing improper footwear or having certain medical conditions. 

• Illegal stop - If the police officers who stopped you did not have reasonable suspicion that you were committing a crime at the time of the stop, any evidence stemming from the illegal stop may not be admissible. 

• Involuntary intoxication - If you became intoxicated voluntarily, you are generally liable for your actions. However, if you were tricked into consuming an intoxicating substance, you may not be liable. If a drug you did not intentionally consume appears in your chemical tests, or you can show that you were unaware that a beverage you drank contained alcohol, this information may provide a path to acquittal. 

Numerous strategies commonly employed by attorneys often lead to a DUI case being dismissed or the defendant being acquitted at trial. 

Contact an Illinois DUI Lawyer

Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law is well-versed in a variety of legal tactics that can defeat a DUI charge. Our skilled Rolling Meadows DUI attorney will strive to build a powerful legal defense for you. Call 847-253-3400 for a free consultation. 

Source: 

https://www.ilsos.gov/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a118.pdf