Defense of Drunk Driving (DWI/DUI) Violations

An experienced drunk driving (DWI/DUI) defense lawyer like those at Bailey & Orozco can help you protect your driver's license when you are charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or some other substance. Some of the issues that a drunk driving defense lawyer can use to defend your license include:

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE POLICE STOPPED YOU?

Did you have your credentials ready? You are required to have your license, registration and insurance card with you when you drive. Did you have them in your hand ready to give to the officer when he asked for them? Did you have to look for them while the officer stood watching you?

Did you stop the vehicle in a safe place? Did you stop the car where it would obstruct the flow of traffic? If you do, the officer will likely report that you created a dangerous condition for other traffic.

Did you volunteer information to the officer? Did you try to explain what happened that resulted in the officer stopping you?

THE STREET-SIDE INVESTIGATION:

Did you tell the officer information that builds a case against you? The officer may ask you questions about where you have been, what you had to drink, how many drinks you had, when you had your last drink, whether you had anything to eat, and when you last ate. These questions pertain to the officer's investigation. You are not required to answer these types of questions. Did you?

Did you note the exact location of the stop?
Did you lie about anything?
Did the officer ask you to step from the vehicle?
Were you asked to do balance tests or any other type of tests?
Were you videotaped?
Did you consent to a search of your vehicle?

THE HEADQUARTERS INVESTIGATION:

Did you agree to give Breath Samples?

Did you refuse?
Were you asked to do more balance tests?

Were you videotaped?
How many times did you take the breath test?
Can you remember the test results?

Did you tell the officer about any medications you were taking?
Did you tell the officer about any medical conditions you have?

Did you argue with the officer?
Did you try to explain the situation to the officer?

AFTER YOU WERE RELEASED:

Did you immediately go to a hospital for a blood test?

Did you insist that the hospital test your blood for ethanol?

Did you write down all the details you can remember of what happened prior to, during and after the stop?
(NOTE: If you do this, remember that this is not an occasion for you to gloss over your conduct or editorialize. Be as candid and as accurate as possible. If you called the officer a derogatory name or got sick inside the police car, then put that in the narrative. If the officer was rude or made derogatory remarks about you, put that in the narrative.) DO NOT SHOW THIS NARRATIVE TO ANYONE ELSE.

Did you go back to the location of the stop with a camera?
(NOTE: If you do this, do not use a digital camera. Take 6-12 photographs of the location from several directions. Include the surface of the place where you actually stopped the car; and, any place you stood, walked or did the balance tests. If the incident took place at night, include photographs of the nearest light sources.)

CONSULTATION WITH A DRUNK DRIVING DEFENSE LAWYER

Make an appointment to see a drunk driving defense lawyer like Howard W. Bailey before your first Court date. The drunk driving statutes are strictly enforced by the Courts, and trials are usually completed within 60 days of the date you were charged. Before you decide what to do, you need to understand what your options are and what the penalties are (license suspension, a jail sentence, fines, points, surcharges, community service, and court costs) if you are convicted of drunken driving.

What to bring when you meet with the Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer

All documents you received from the Police.
All documents you have that relate to past tickets.
If you had a blood test done, the documentation of the test.
If you took photographs, copies of each photograph.
Any written narrative you made of the incident.
Documentation of any existing medical condition you have.
The names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witness.