Anyone who gets arrested for a DUI may feel like there is no way to defend themselves against the charges. When a person facing DUI charges feels this way, they may think that the best thing to do is to plead guilty without trying to defend themselves. This is a grave mistake, as a DUI conviction can negatively impact a convicted person’s life in many ways.
When even a first conviction for a DUI in hundreds of dollars in fines and up to a week in prison, it only makes sense to fight for yourself. There are many ways someone can defend against DUI charges, so how can they do it?
DUI defenses
Defending against DUI charges needs to be stronger than arguing that you were not as drunk as the prosecution claims you were. If you can prove that your driving while intoxicated was because of certain reasons, you may be able to beat your charges. Common examples of strong defenses include:
- Necessity – if driving while intoxicated was a matter of life and death
- Duress – if someone threatened you with harm or death to drive while intoxicated
- Unknown intoxication – if your new medication reacted to alcohol in a way you were not familiar with
- Involuntary intoxication – if someone spiked your drink or slipped you drugs before you got in the car to drive
In addition to explaining the reason behind the DUI, an experienced attorney could also try to attack the events of the arrest. If the arresting officers failed to follow legal procedure, or the evidence is insufficient or inaccurate, there may be grounds for a judge to dismiss the case.
Consult with an attorney
If you are facing DUI charges, do not give up too soon. There are many different methods of defending against these charges, and the guidance of a dedicated lawyer may be what you need to protect your rights, future, and freedom.
