Drunk driving accusations can land you in hot water, and they can threaten to cause a lot of damage to your life. A DUI conviction can lead to jail or even prison, extraordinary fines, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, a lingering mark on your criminal record, and harm to your reputation. If those potential penalties have you worried, then you need to carefully think about how best to approach your criminal defense. The good news is that aggressive advocates, like those at our firm, stand ready to fight to protect your freedom and your future.
Depending on your set of circumstances, there may be a number of criminal defense options available to you. If you refused to submit to a blood or breath test, then your best bet might be to challenge the results of any field sobriety tests administered to you. Without scientific testing showing your blood alcohol content, prosecutors are left to rely on observations made by police officers as they conducted a traffic stop and initiated flimsy tests that are subjective in nature.
Just take a look at the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. Here, an officer holds an object, likely a finger or a pen, mere inches from your face and asks you to follow it with your eyes without turning your head as it moves from side-to-side. The officer will watch your eyes for indications of intoxication, which might include a lack of smooth pursuit, jerking eye movements, and an inability to follow instructions.
Officers aren’t scientists. Oftentimes they’re not even able to accurately recall previous events or carry out field sobriety tests in accordance with acceptable standards. They also might not take into account other variables that might affect the results of a field sobriety test. All of these faults and errors can be drawn out through the utilization of skilled legal work. If you think you could benefit from that type of advocacy, then it might be time for you to speak with a strong attorney who you think will give prosecutors the fight they deserve.