La Crescenta California DUI / DWI arrests often leave confused and frightened drivers in their wake. Navigating the criminal justice system, especially for the first time, can be frustrating and nerve-wracking. The driver is likely concerned about the serious repercussions of a drinking and driving arrest, which include a suspended license, a large fine, and even a jail sentence. However, a driving under the influence arrest doesn't equal an automatic conviction - not even close. A skilled defense attorney will work hard to protect the driver's rights and aggressively fight the charges.

All DUI / DWI prosecutions are different, but the evidence used to try to convict the driver is similar. The prosecutor will attempt to introduce evidence that includes the driver's chemical test results, driving patterns, field sobriety tests, and testimony about the driver's physical appearance prior to arrest. However, even though this evidence seems damning, every item can be effectively challenged by an experienced La Crescenta CA defense lawyer.

Chemical tests of the driver's blood, breath or urine are usually key evidence in a La Crescenta California prosecutor's driving under the influence case. However, chemical test results that show a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or greater can be interpreted in more than one way. A knowledgeable defense lawyer will analyze every aspect of the driver's chemical test result to determine the most effective challenge.

The most effective challenges to chemical test results are often based on the simple concept of time. Chemical tests are often administered an hour or more after the driver was last behind the wheel, and his or her BAC probably fluctuated considerably during that time. The body continues to absorb alcohol after a person takes a drink, which can cause the BAC reading to be artificially inflated.

Because a driver's BAC continues to rise after drinking, a motorist who may have been legally intoxicated at the police station could easily have been within the legal limit when driving. A La Crescenta CA DUI / DWI defense lawyer who is knowledgeable about how alcohol affects the human body will demonstrate to jurors how a driver whose chemical test indicated intoxication at the police station could have well within the legal limit while behind the wheel.

Drivers who refuse to submit to a chemical test after a lawful DUI / DWI arrest may face additional problems, both in court and at the DMV. All states have implied consent laws, meaning that anyone who gets behind the wheel has agreed to take a chemical test to determine BAC if arrested for driving under the influence. Any motorist who refused a chemical test may face additional repercussions, including longer license suspensions and additional criminal penalties. In addition, in some states a refusal can be used as evidence of "consciousness of guilt."

The motorist's driving patterns prior to arrest are also used as evidence in a La Crescenta California driving under the influence prosecution. The arresting officer will testify about any behavior he or she observed that is associated with drunk driving, including abrupt braking, weaving between lanes, or driving too slowly.

However, many of the driving patterns considered indicative of DUI / DWI can be attributed to causes that have nothing to do with alcohol use. For example, the driver may have been briefly distracted after dropping something on the floor or looking at a map, and inadvertently drifted between lanes.

One of the most common reasons police stop suspected drunk drivers in La Crescenta CA - speeding - isn't recognized as a drunk driving pattern by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). If the arresting officer testifies that he or she stopped the accused driver for speeding, probable cause for arrest may not have existed, and any evidence gathered may be suppressed at trial.

Prosecutors also use field sobriety tests as evidence in La Crescenta CA DUI / DWI cases. However, there are many effective challenges to field sobriety tests. Here's why - alcohol intoxication causes both mental and physical impairment, but most field sobriety tests rely heavily on physical agility. A driver experiencing physical problems can "fail" his or her field sobriety test without ever displaying the mental impairment associated with intoxication.

Clearly, physical problems can stem from any number of factors that have nothing to do with alcohol use, including injury, illness, or central nervous-system impairment. A skilled La Crescenta CA drunk driving defense attorney will establish whether issues unrelated to alcohol use prevented the driver from passing a field sobriety test.

Any physical signs and symptoms associated with alcohol impairment that were observed in the driver also will be used as evidence in a La Crescenta California drunk driving prosecution. The arresting officer might tell jurors about a driver's slurred speech, red, watery eyes, or an odor of alcohol. But these "signs" of alcohol or drug use can be caused by numerous factors, including illness, fatigue, or even allergies.

Facing a jury in a DUI / DWI case can seem daunting, but it's in the motorist's best interest to fight a drinking and driving charge. An expert criminal defense attorney has many proven strategies in his or her arsenal designed to attack the evidence in drinking and driving cases.

Finding the right defense attorney can be a challenge, but luckily, 1800DUILaws.com can help. 1800DUILaws.com is a national association of expert defense lawyers who focus on defending accused drunk drivers. A skilled La Crescenta CA DUI / DWI attorney will work hard to fight for the driver's rights and minimize or even eliminate the repercussions of a driving under the influence charge.

Many drivers arrested for DUI / DWI in La Crescenta CA are forced to contend with the criminal justice system for the first time, and it can be a frustrating and frightening experience. Suddenly the driver is looking at the possibility of a suspended license, a large fine, and even a jail sentence.

However, a driving under the influence arrest doesn't equal an automatic conviction. It's possible to fight a drunk driving charge and win with the help of an expert defense attorney. An experienced La Crescenta CA defense lawyer from 1800DUILaws.com has the skills needed to ensure that the accused driver receives the fairest possible treatment in the justice system.

La Crescenta California prosecutors will seek to introduce the following types of evidence in a drunk driving case - chemical test results, driving patterns, field sobriety tests, and testimony about physical signs and symptoms of intoxication displayed by the driver. But while this evidence may seem damning, a skillful defense lawyer can challenge every item in a way that creates reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors.

A chemical test of the driver's blood, breath or urine is typically a key piece of evidence in a prosecutor's La Crescenta CA DUI / DWI case. However, even a chemical test that shows a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or greater can be effectively challenged. A savvy defense lawyer will analyze the driver's chemical test to establish the best strategy to challenge the results.

Effective chemical test challenges are often based on the simple concept of time. Police often administer chemical tests more than an hour after the driver was last behind the wheel, and an individual's BAC can rise considerably during that time. The human body continues to absorb alcohol long after an individual stops drinking, and BAC continues to rise.

Because BAC can continue to rise after the individual stops drinking, an experienced defense attorney may argue that the motorist was legally intoxicated at the police station but within the legal limit while behind the wheel. A La Crescenta California DUI / DWI defense lawyer who thoroughly understands how the human body metabolizes alcohol can demonstrate how a driver who "failed" a chemical test at the police station could have legally sober behind the wheel.

An accused DUI / DWI driver who refused to take a chemical test after a drunk driving arrest may face additional penalties, both in court and at the state department of motor vehicles. Every state has implied consent laws, meaning that every motorist has agreed to take a chemical test to determine BAC if arrested for driving under the influence. Drivers who refuse to take a chemical test after a La Crescenta CA DUI / DWI arrest face consequences that may include lengthier license suspensions and additional criminal penalties. In addition, a refusal is considered evidence of "consciousness of guilt" in many states.

The motorist's driving patterns prior to arrest will also be used as evidence in a La Crescenta California driving while intoxicated case. The arresting officer will describe in detail any behavior he or she observed that is linked to DUI / DWI, including weaving between lanes, abrupt braking, or driving too slowly.

A skilled defense attorney will use aggressive cross-examination to rebut the arresting officer's testimony about the accused motorist's driving patterns. An experienced defense lawyer can establish that many of the driving patterns described by the officer can be traced to issues unrelated to alcohol. For example, the motorist may have been adjusting the volume on the radio before he or she inadvertently drifted between lanes.

Field sobriety tests are another kind of evidence used in La Crescenta CA DUI / DWI cases, but this evidence can also be effectively challenged through aggressive cross-examination. Field sobriety test challenges are usually based on a very simple concept - alcohol causes both mental and physical impairment, but most field sobriety tests rely far too heavily on physical agility. Thus, an accused motorist might "fail" a field sobriety test without every showing the kind of mental impairment associated with alcohol use.

Clearly, many conditions can cause the kind of physical impairment that might impact a driver's performance on a field sobriety test, including illness, injury, and central nervous-system disorders. An experienced La Crescenta California DUI / DWI defense lawyer will determine whether factors that had nothing to do with alcohol prevented the driver from "passing" his or her field sobriety test.

Any physical signs and symptoms displayed by the driver that are associated with alcohol intoxication will also be used as evidence in a La Crescenta CA drunk driving prosecution. The arresting officer might testify that the driver showed slurred speech, red, watery eyes, or an odor of alcohol. But these so-called symptoms can be traced to many issues unrelated to alcohol use, including fatigue, illness, or even allergies.

The bottom line is that while the evidence brought in a La Crescenta CA DUI / DWI case may seem damning, it's possible to fight and win against a drunk driving charge. An attorney who focuses on defending drinking and driving cases will aggressively attack the evidence and work hard to safeguard the driver's rights.

However, finding expert legal help is essential for motorists accused of drunk driving can be a challenge. 1800DUILaws.com can help - it's a national network of attorneys who focus on defending motorists accused of drinking and driving. An experienced La Crescenta CA defense attorney will ensure that a motorist accused of driving under the influence receives the best defense available.