Del Norte County California DUI / DWI Attorneys

Del Norte County, California drunk driving arrests usually occur without warning - the driver spots flashing red and blue lights in the rearview mirror, and soon the motorist is in handcuffs. Navigating the criminal justice system, often for the first time, is a frightening and frustrating experience that requires expert legal help. A skilled local attorney from 1800DUILaws.com will devise a proven defense strategy designed to address every aspect of a Del Norte County, California DUI / DWI prosecution.

The consequences of drunk driving seem to grow harsher with every passing year - the punishment may include fines, license suspensions, probation, and sometimes even a jail sentence. Because the stakes in a Del Norte County, CaliforniaDUI / DWI case are so high, it's critical to have an expert criminal defense lawyer protecting the driver's rights.

There are four distinct types of evidence introduced by prosecutors pursuing Del Norte County, California drinking and driving cases - driving patterns, physical signs of intoxication, field sobriety test results, and chemical tests. Fortunately, an experienced Del Norte County, California drunk driving defense attorney can challenge all of the prosecutor's evidence and create reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors.

The arresting officer will be called upon to testify about the accused motorist's driving patterns prior to arrest. However, the arresting officer may describe behavior, such as speeding, that isn't considered a DUI / DWI driving pattern by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). An experienced defense lawyer will attempt to suppress evidence gathered during a traffic stop prompted by speeding because the arrest likely lacked probable cause.

The arresting officer also will be asked by the prosecutor to describe any physical signs or symptoms of intoxication exhibited by the driver, such as red, watery eyes and slurred speech. But clearly these so-called physical symptoms of intoxication can be caused by many conditions that have nothing to do with alcohol intoxication, such as illness, allergies, or even fatigue.

The arresting officer will also be asked to testify about the accused driver's performance on a field sobriety test. Field sobriety tests are notoriously subjective, because only the officer's opinion determines whether a driver "passes" or "fails." Field sobriety test evidence can be challenged under a very simple precept - alcohol intoxication always causes mental impairment before physical impairment occurs. Drivers with a high alcohol tolerance can disguise signs of physical impairment, but mental impairment can never be disguised. Therefore, a driver who experienced physical problems but displayed no mental impairment must have been suffering from a condition unrelated to alcohol use.

Clearly, physical impairment can be caused by any number of factors, including injury, illness, or even fatigue. A skilled Del Norte County, CaliforniaDUI / DWI defense attorney will establish that a motorist who displayed physical problems but no mental impairment could not have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Del Norte County, California prosecutors consider chemical tests of the driver's blood or breath that indicated a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or greater to be powerful evidence in drunk driving prosecutions, but this evidence can be effectively challenged. Chemical tests aren't infallible, and neither are the individuals who collect and analyze the samples. A skilled DUI / DWI criminal defense lawyer will painstakingly examine the accused driver's chemical test to determine the best plan of attack.

Many chemical test challenges are based on a simple premise - the body continues to absorb alcohol after an individual stops drinking, and BAC levels often rise significantly in a short period of time. A driver who may have been over the legal limit a couple of hours after arrest at the police station could easily have been within the limit when driving.

Refusing to submit to a chemical test after a lawful Del Norte County, California drinking and driving arrest presents additional challenges, both in court and at the DMV. Every state has an implied consent law that requires every driver arrested for DUI / DWI to take a chemical test to establish BAC. Drivers who refuse chemical tests typically face harsher punishment than those who submit to the test.

The evidence in a Del Norte County, California drinking and driving prosecution may seem daunting, but the bottom line is that every shred of evidence can be challenged. A skilled DUI / DWI criminal attorney will devise an aggressive defense strategy designed to keep the negative repercussions of a Del Norte County, California drunk driving arrest to a minimum.

Seeking help from an expert defense attorney is essential after a Del Norte County, California drunk driving arrest, but finding the right lawyer can be a challenge. 1800DUILaws can help - it's a nationwide network of skilled defense attorneys devoted to safeguarding the rights of accused drunk drivers. 1800DUILaws can help any Del Norte County, California driver accused of DUI / DWI to locate an experienced local defense lawyer who will fight hard to mitigate the repercussions of a driving under the influence arrest.