Beating a DUI/DWI

Although there is no guaranteed way to avoid being convicted of drunk driving—a crime often referred to as DUI (short for “Driving under the Influence”) or DWI (“Driving While Intoxicated”)—if you are arrested for drunk driving, an attorney can drastically increase your chances of obtaining a successful outcome in criminal court. In fact, with the right defense strategy, many drivers are able to reduce or eliminate the charges against them and avoid some of the most life-altering penalties of a DUI conviction. Here's what you need to know about beating a DUI or DWI.

Across the United States, it is against the law to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Any person who is caught driving with a BAC above this amount can be arrested and charged with DUI or DWI, regardless of his or her ability to drive. In addition, many states also have laws restricting the amount of alcohol underage drivers and commercial vehicle operators can have in their systems even further. In some areas, you could even be charged with a “less safe” DUI/DWI offense if you show signs of impairment, but have a BAC within the legal limit.

Regardless of the type of charge, the penalties for drunk driving are often severe. While the exact laws vary from state to state, in most areas a conviction can lead to hefty fines, a long license suspension, and/or jail time. Repeat offenders and those involved in serious auto accidents usually face even tougher sentencing guidelines.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to challenge an arrest for drunk driving. In order for the charges to hold up in court, the arresting officer must prove that he or she had probable cause to suspect the driver of DUI. In addition, if a breathalyzer or other chemical test was administered, the prosecution must prove that the results are reliable—which can be difficult to do if the testing device was not maintained properly or the officer who administered the test did not receive adequate training on the device.

If you were recently arrested for a DUI or DWI, is important to obtain legal representation immediately. When you consider all of the fines, court costs, and other expenses, a drunk driving conviction can cost you far more than hiring an attorney. Plus, a lawyer can often challenge your arrest and help you avoid many or all of the penalties of a drunk driving conviction.

From challenging the results of your field sobriety and/or breathalyzer to proving that the officer who arrested you did not have probable cause to stop your vehicle, a skilled DUI attorney can review the facts of your case to determine the best defense strategy for your situation.

To learn more about how you can fight your arrest, make sure you discuss your case with an experienced DUI defense attorney in your area today.

States and Cities:
AK	Alaska, Anchorage	LA	Louisiana, New Orleans	OH	Ohio, Cincinnati
AL	Alabama, Montgomery	MA	Massachusetts, Boston	OK	Oklahoma, Tulsa
AR	Arkansas, Little Rock	MD	Maryland, Baltimore	OR	Oregon, Portland
AZ	Arizona, Phoenix	ME	Maine, Portland	PA	Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
CA	California, Los Angeles	MI	Michigan, Detroit	RI	Rhode Island, Providence
CO	Colorado, Denver	MN	Minnesota, Duluth	SC	South Carolina, Charleston
CT	Connecticut, Hartford	MO	Missouri, Branson	SD	South Dakota, Sioux Falls
DE	Delaware, Wilmington	MS	Mississippi, Jackson	TN	Tennessee, Nashville
FL	Florida, Orlando	MT	Montana, Bozeman	TX	Texas, Houston
GA	Georgia, Atlanta	NC	North Carolina, Charoltte	UT	Utah, Salt Lake City
HI	Hawaii, Honolulu	ND	North Dakota, Fargo	VT	Vermont, Burlington
IA	Iowa, Des Moines	NE	Nebraska, Omaha	VA	Virginia, Richmond
ID	Idaho, Boise	NH	New Hampshire, Portsmouth	WA	Washington, Seattle
IL	Illinois, Chicago	NJ	New Jersey, Newark	WI	Wisconsin, Milwaukee
IN	Indiana, Indianapolis	NM	New Mexico, Albuquerque	WV	West Virginia, Charleston
KS	Kansas, Kansas City	NV	Nevada, Las Vegas	WY	Wyoming, Cheyenne
KY	Kentucky, Lexington	NY	New York, New York	DC	Washington DC