Whether a person has been arrested numerous times for DUI offenses or it’s their first time, they are still presumed to be innocent on each charge when they are arrested. A person isn’t allowed to speak with a DUI Attorney in Seattle before they consent or refuse to take a Breathalyzer test or allow a blood alcohol test. However, once they have made that decision, they should say nothing else to the arresting officer. What seems like innocent banter, may be used as evidence at their trial. It can make it more difficult for their attorney to mount a vigorous defense.
The first step in any DUI charge is to ensure that the driver’s legal rights were respected. The police officer had to have probable cause to stop the vehicle. It’s not enough to say that the defendant left a bar at midnight or appeared to be staggering. The person might have tripped on a people and stumbled because if it. Once the officer stopped the car for a traffic infraction, he then had to have another probable cause to believe the person had been drinking. If the DUI Attorney in Seattle can prove that the officer erred at either of these two points, then Breathalyzer results or blood alcohol test can’t be used as evidence.
Some people think that their first DUI is no big deal, if no one was hurt. That isn’t true. While the judge might only impose a fine and not a jail sentence, a DUI conviction is still a felony conviction. It will follow the person for the rest of their life. If they are ever convicted of another crime, the sentence will be greater because they have a prior felony conviction. If the person loses their driver’s license for 30 or 60 days, it could result in a job loss if they have no other way to get to work. Their car insurance company may cancel their policy or raise rates dramatically. Therefore it’s important to hire a lawyer such as Brian K. Leonard that can keep the charges to a minimum or get them thrown out.
