3 Strategies To Beat A DUI Conviction

Were you recently arrested for DUI? If so, you're probably dealing with anxiety and fear about how the case will be resolved and what impact it will have on your life. A conviction for DUI can result in a license suspension, fines, community service, and even jail time. If you have previous DUIs on your record, you could face even more significant penalties. The good news is that a DUI arrest doesn't have to result in a DUI conviction. An attorney who specializes in DUI law services can help you fight the charges and achieve a better outcome. Below are a few ways to fight DUI charges:

Challenge the stop

Perhaps the most effective way to fight DUI charges is to challenge the stop that led to the DUI arrest. The police officer had to have a reason to pull you over. Perhaps they said you were speeding or swerving your car. Or maybe they claimed you ran a red light. Your attorney can challenge these claims to have all of the charges dropped. Keep in mind, you may not have to actually prove this at trial. The prosecution often decides that it's not worth it to take a challenged DUI case to court. If you challenge the stop, they may decide to offer a plea bargain for a lesser charge with reduced penalties.

Challenge the sobriety tests

At your DUI stop, the officer likely performed some kind of field sobriety tests. These may have included a series of activities to gauge your sobriety or even a handheld blood alcohol level. All of these tests can be questioned and challenged in court. For example, it's possible the officer did not follow the correct protocol during the field tests. It's possible that the department hadn't calibrated their breathalyzers recently, meaning the readings aren't accurate. Again, the greater the challenge to these tests, the more likely that the prosecutor will be willing to negotiate a plea bargain.

Schedule pretrial hearings

One of the most important things you can do in the process is to plead not guilty at your first hearing. That opens up options for your attorney to challenge facts and negotiate outcomes. In fact, your attorney can schedule multiple pretrial hearings to object to certain pieces of evidence in the case. Each one of these hearings represents the time that the prosecution and the arresting officer have to spend in court. The prosecution may look at the time investment in the case and simply decide that it's not worth pursuing a DUI conviction. 

Talk to a lawyer who works in DUI law services. They can help you challenge your arrest and beat a conviction.