Driving under the influence is a serious offense, especially when related to an automobile or motor vehicle accident. If you have been arrested for a DUI/DWI it’s in your best interest to obtain legal representation from a DUI defense lawyer immediately.
DUI attorneys seek to uncover inaccuracies in forensic breath and blood testing as well as bias, inexperience, and incompetence by arresting officers. It’s not uncommon for DUI charges to be plea bargained into lesser offenses. Securing affordable DUI legal services can help ensure you receive the best result possible.
In the United States, penalties for drunk driving have steadily increased throughout the past years as organizations such as Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD) have lobbied for stiffer penalties. States are cracking down on drunk driving; DUI and DWI laws across the nation are becoming stricter and being enforced with greater diligence. Higher fines and penalties have increased the importance of proper legal defense when cited for drunk driving.
When you drink and drive, you are putting yourself at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, auto accidents are the leading cause of death for people in America who are under the age of 24, and about 40 percent of those deaths are alcohol-related. Having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of just .10, slightly over the legal limit, puts you at seven times higher of a risk for being involved in a crash that kills someone. If that level is raised to just .15, the risk increases to 25 times. Even a blood alcohol content of .04 can increase the likelihood of someone being involved in a car crash by 1.4 times, so having “just one more” could bring devastating consequences. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides some solid Traffic Safety Facts on Alcohol-Impaired Driving.
The offense of Driving Under the Influence may be elevated to a felony if the incident caused serious injury (felony DUI), death (vehicular homicide), extensive property damage, or if the defendant has a certain number of prior DUI convictions within a given time period (commonly, 3 prior convictions within 7 years).
The laws surrounding DUI/DWI convictions are complicated and the facts of each case are unique. DUI/DWI lawyers use a variety of defense strategies that can lead to a reduced or “not guilty” verdict. Since DUI/DWI penalties can result in severe penalties, it is in your best interest to work with an experienced DUI lawyer.