ARIZONA DUI lawyer

Defenses to DUI Charges

While an Arizona DUI carries serious potential penalties, a percentage of those charged with the offense are not convicted. Some cases are dismissed, others are downgraded to lesser charges (for example, reckless driving), and some result in not guilty verdicts. So being charged does not necessarily spell doom. Of course, your chances of being among those who are not convicted is a function in large part of finding the right attorney for your defense.

An experienced Arizona DUI attorney will examine the case from the outset, conduct any additional investigation required, in some cases hire an expert witness on your behalf, and take all the necessary steps to insure that your rights are protected. Possible defenses could be established by:

• Challenging the BAC reading. Breath and blood samples are not always accurate. Tests are performed improperly, and they are sometimes conducted by people without the necessary training, and the evidence may not be properly preserved.
• Challenge the Field Sobriety Tests (FST). Certain roadside tests have been accepted by the NHTSA as demonstrating the likelihood that a person is impaired. The interpretation of the tests is subjective, and the tests are often performed improperly.
• Challenge the Traffic Stop. DUI’s frequently begin with a traffic stop, either a single vehicle stop or a stop at a checkpoint. Illegal stops can lead to the inadmissibility of evidence of a DUI, as can an improperly administered checkpoint.

These are just a few of the possible defenses that may apply in your case.