DUI Blog

The bad news came when the lights signaled behind you. Or maybe the bad news came when you realize you’ve drank alcohol or abused drugs and got behind the wheel.

Will you be charged with drinking and driving? How do you get out of this situation? What do you tell the officer who pulled you over? Should you take the breathalyzer test? What about other sobriety tests?

This guide answers some specific questions you may have and helps with concerns about DUI charges.

Can you get out?
DUI charges are not always made. This can be a scary position, but you have nothing to fear unless you know you’ve drank alcohol. There is no easy solution if you’ve “had a few” and decided to drive. This process is not a fun one. Likely you know of someone who’s been charged with a DUI. This guide will now walk you through the basics.

Why are you pulled over?
You’re pulled over in the first place for a variety of reasons. It may not be because the officer thinks you’ve been drinking at all. You may have just been speeding. However, the officer looks for things like that, especially late at night. If you are passing in and out of lanes, swerving, running through yellow lights at high speeds, and just acting erratic, police officers are trained to see these things.

What if you’ve been drinking?
If you’ve been drinking, it does not mean you are always going to get a DUI. You still have rights. The best thing you can do is never mix drinking or drugs and driving at all. If you have been drinking, even in excess, you also still have rights.

What do you tell the officer?
You do not have to tell the officer a single thing. You have a right under the Fifth Amendment to not say anything which will incriminate you. If you’re afraid by speaking that you will sound drunk, you need not speak. If you are very nervous, this is understandable. You need not give the officer any information. It may seem suspicious, but it’s your legal right.

What about the breathalyzer?
Nevada is currently the only state which will not revoke your license if you refuse a breathalyzer. All other states will punish you for refusing it, some with very severe charges. Usually you want to take the breathalyzer. However, breath tests are suspect. Simply because you breath at the legal limit, .08%, does not mean you are in fact that intoxicated. Breathalyzers are subject to human error. So are blood tests, but blood tests are by far the most accurate.

Also, you should be aware of your rights concerning other sobriety tests. Most state laws have nothing saying you must walk in a straight line, count backwards, or any other field test. To be sure, ask the officer who pulled you over if you will be punished for denying to take sobriety field tests. The majority of the time not taking has no affect you at all.

What if you’re charged?
You’re pulled over, the officer asks you some questions but you answer none, and then you fail the breathalyzer. This case is far from over. If you’re charged, you need the help of a professional DUI lawyer. DUI charges are not always in the right. Just because your breath test fails does not mean you’ll lose your license, face fines, or even jail time. An experienced lawyer is your best chance for justice.

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) can lead to severe penalties. A DWI is similar in scope to a DUI, with some states differentiating themselves by using different terms. For our purposes, let’s consider them very close legally: you are drinking alcohol or abusing drugs and driving.

One question we hear quite often is when you need to hire a DWI lawyer.

They’re a variety of scenarios. You have no job, and therefore no income. You are guilty of the charges. A court appointed lawyer costs nothing. You are not guilty, but want to defend yourself. If any of these sound wrong, well, it’s because they’re all entirely the wrong reasons. There is no clear reason not to hire a DWI lawyer unless you are a DWI lawyer yourself. Why?

If you have no job, you likely cannot afford to pay the excessive fines, which can  be in the thousands. If you start working again, you won’t be able to drive. If you have no income coming in, sometimes you seem to have no options. We all have access to money, even after filing bankruptcy or losing a job. It’s time to put value on how much you want to stay out of jail, want to keep your drivers license, and want to avoid thousands in fines.

If you are guilty of the charges, it’s easy to say you need no professional DWI lawyer. This is wrong in many respects. Say, for example, you were in fact drinking, but the breathalyzer used tested you as over the limit when actually you were very close to under the limit. Or say that the officer pulled you over for no legal reason – only because he suspected by the look of your car you were a criminal, or because you are a minority, or a woman, or a variety of other reasons. In still other cases, the officer acted incorrectly by never giving you a Miranda, if not abusing your legal rights. These examples can lead to dropped charges, even if you are guilty of drinking and driving, and potentially could lead to some damages. But you need a DWI lawyer.

You may think a court appointed lawyer can handle your case. Using the above example on actually believing your guilty, you decide because of this that you should forgo hiring a lawyer. A court appointed lawyer is almost as bad as defending yourself; they rarely have the time or inclination to properly defend you. A professional DWI lawyer can find holes in the prosecution’s case given time; rarely can a court appointed lawyer with dozens of other cases spend a significant amount of time helping you.

Finally, you can defend yourself. You know your innocence, or know the officer acted wrong, and maybe you know some of the process in handling a court case. Rarely does this work out. Unless you’re a DWI lawyer, you need professional legal representation. You’ll need expert witnesses, to question what happened, to know the local laws, and to know how exactly to handle the court process with the judge and prosecution. There is a reason passing the Bar is very tough; it takes years experience.

If you’re still unsure whether a DWI lawyer can help you, consider that it might actually save you time, money, and a lot of headaches. It’s worth paying the extra money in order to get a professional defense.

Nashville drivers, who operate a motor vehicle and are impaired by alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicant, can be charged with DUI or driving under the influence. Nashville drivers can also be arrested for DUI if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is at or above 0.08%. Drivers who are arrested and convicted of DUI in Nashville may receive time in jail, fines and penalties and loss of driving privileges.

Each year Nashville drivers and passengers are seriously injured and killed by drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol. States have instituted severe penalties to curb alcohol abuse and attempt to save lives. Nashville drivers who have been arrested one time or multiple times for DUI in Nashville need the help of a Nashville DUI lawyer. Drivers from Nashville and all of the surrounding cities including: Brentwood, Hermitage, Ashland City, Hendersonville and Madison can get the legal help they need from a DUI attorney. Seeking the legal counsel of a knowledgeable and competent Nashville DUI lawyer can ensure a driver understands their rights and options for their DUI case.

Penalties for DUI in Nashville

Penalties for DUI may vary for certain individuals depending on their criminal background and if they have previous DUI convictions. Before pleading guilty to DUI, find out the types of DUI penalties you can face from a qualified DUI lawyer in Nashville.

First DUI Conviction in Nashville

• Nashville drivers are required to spend 48 hours and up to 11 months in jail for their first DUI conviction. Nashville driver with a BAC of 0.20% or greater must spend a minimum of 7 consecutive days in jail.
• The court will revoke the driver’s license for one year.
• Nashville drivers are required to participate in an alcohol education class.
• Nashville drivers are required to pay restitution to any person suffering physical injury or personal loss due to the DUI.
• Nashville drivers are required to pay fines of $350-$1,500.
• The court may require the Nashville driver to install an Ignition Interlock Device for 1 year.

Second DUI Conviction in Nashville

• Nashville drivers may be required to spend 45 days to 11 months in jail. Nashville drivers with a BAC of 0.20% or higher may be required to spend additional days in jail.
• The courts may revoke a Nashville driver’s license for 2 years but may allow a restricted license after one year.
• The court may require the driver to install an Ignition Interlock Device.
• The court will require the driver to attend an alcohol education class.
• Drivers are required to pay fines of $600-$3,500.
• The court may seize the driver’s vehicle.
• Nashville drivers may be required to pay restitution to other individuals who have been injured due to the driver’s DUI.

Third DUI Conviction in Nashville

• Nashville drivers are required to spend 120 days to 11 months in jail. Drivers who have a BAC of 0.20% or higher may have to spend additional consecutive days in jail.
• The courts will revoke the driver’s license for 3 to 10 years. For the third DUI conviction there is not an option for a restricted license.
• Nashville drivers must install an Ignition Interlock Device.
• Nashville drivers must participate in an alcohol education class
• Nashville drivers must pay fines of $1,100-$10,000.
• The courts may seize a Nashville driver’s car.
• Nashville drivers may be required to pay restitution to other individuals who have been injured from the driver’s DUI.

Fourth DUI Conviction in Nashville

Class E Felony

• Nashville drivers are required spend 1 year in jail with 150 days required to be served consecutively.
• The court will revoke a driver’s license for 5 years with no option to apply for a restricted license.
• Nashville drivers must install an Ignition Interlock Device on their vehicle.
• Nashville drivers must participate in an alcohol education class.
• Nashville drivers must pay fines of $3,000 to -$15,000.
• The court may seize the driver’s vehicle.
• Nashville drivers may be required to pay restitution to other individuals who have been injured.

Hiring a Nashville DUI Lawyer

Drivers charged with DUI in Nashville do not have to hire a Nashville DUI lawyer, but it may be the best chance the driver has for a solid DUI defense. Nashville DUI lawyers offer free initial consultations to evaluate a driver’s DUI case. If the driver chooses to hire a DUI lawyer the attorney can interview witnesses, evaluate the DUI arrest process, negotiate with the prosecuting attorney and take the DUI case to court, if necessary. Even if a driver is planning to plead guilty to a DUI conviction, why not consult with a DUI lawyer in Nashville before making that decision?

A DUI or driving under the influence arrest can be overwhelming. You are probably wondering what you should do next or how much it will cost you. Maybe you have been arrested multiple times for DUI and you are scared it may affect your employment or you may lose your Seattle license. It is time to call a Seattle DUI lawyer. Seattle DUI attorneys can answer all or your DUI questions and organize your DUI defense.

DUI lawyers in Seattle have handled hundreds of DUI cases from DUI misdemeanors to DUI felonies. Most criminal defense lawyers in Seattle offer a free initial consultation to review your DUI charges and determine whether or not they can help you. Many drivers think it is best to plead guilty and move forward, and it may be, but it is always a good idea to make sure you understand the legal ramifications of a guilty plea.

Seattle DUI lawyers are professional and knowledgeable about Seattle DUI laws, and they can help through every step of the DUI process. What penalties do you face? Will you lose your Seattle driver’s license? Call a Seattle DUI criminal defense lawyer and find out.

Seattle DUI Laws

Seattle drivers, who are arrested with a BAC or blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, can be charged with DUI. Seattle drivers who are under the age of 21 and have a BAC of 0.2% can also be charged with DUI. Consuming less than the legal limit of alcohol does not necessarily mean a driver will not be arrested for DUI. Drivers who have consumed alcohol and can not operate a motor vehicle safely may be considered “under the influence” and can be arrested.

Penalties for DUI in Seattle

DUI penalties in Seattle can vary depending on the criminal record of the driver or if there are any aggravating circumstances such as severe injury or death. Talk to a Seattle DUI lawyer about the details of your DUI case. General DUI penalty information is provided below:

First DUI Conviction in Seattle

(With in 7 years)

• Seattle drivers are required to stay 1 day to 1 year in jail or may instead be confined 15 days to 30 days with at home electronic monitoring.

• Seattle drivers may be required to pay fines of $823 to $5,000.
• Seattle courts may suspend a driver’s license for 90 days to 1 year with a 5 year probationary license.
• The courts may require Seattle drivers to install an Ignition Interlock Device.
• The courts may require Seattle drivers to complete an alcohol evaluation and potential alcohol treatment program for up to 2 years.

Seattle DUI penalties may become more severe for drivers who have a BAC of 0.15% or higher or if a driver refuses to submit to a chemical test.

Second DUI Conviction in Seattle

(With in 7 years)

• Drivers must spend 30 days to 1 year in jail or the court may allow 60 to 90 days at home with electronic home monitoring.
• Seattle drivers must pay fines of $1,078 to $5,000.
• The courts require a license suspension for 2 years to 900 days followed by a 5 year probationary license after the driver’s Seattle license is reinstated.
• The courts may require monitored probation for up to 5 years.
• Drivers may be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device on their vehicle for 1 year.
• The courts may require a driver to take an alcohol evaluation and potential alcohol treatment program for up to 2 years.

Third DUI Conviction in Seattle

(With in 7 years)

• Seattle drivers are required to stay in jail for 90 days to 1 year, or the courts may allow 120 to 150 days of electronic home monitoring.
• Seattle drivers are required to pay fines of $1,928 to $5,000.
• The courts can suspend a driver’s license for 3 to 4 years. The driver may have a probationary license for 5 years after their driver’s license is reinstated.
• Drivers may have to serve 5 years of monitored probation.
• Drivers may be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device for 1 to 10 years.
• Drivers must take an alcohol evaluation and potential alcohol treatment program for up to 2 years.

Hiring a Seattle criminal defense attorney

What does a Seattle DUI lawyer do for you? They can answer all of your DUI questions, investigate the DUI case and determine what options are best for you. DUI attorneys also file motions and discuss your DUI case with the prosecuting attorney. Can they guarantee your DUI charges are dropped or reduced? No, but they can provide the best chance you have to get a great DUI defense. Do not try to fight DUI charges alone. Let a DUI attorney do the work for you.

It seemed like the end of the world when you were pulled over after having some drinks, then the handcuffs came, and you ended up in a jail cell. The arrest may have been quite different. You may have had just one drink but were under age. You may have in fact had nothing to drink, but took a legal prescription drug. There are many complexities to a DUI charge. Just because you fail a blood alcohol test (BAC) does not mean you are necessarily guilty. In fact, with some evidence, you can win in court. How? This guide shows you.

The Basics of DUI Defense
You need a lawyer no matter if you feel guilty or not. Too many simply take the charges, pleading guilty because of a few drinks. There is quite often much more to a DUI case than just having some drinks and driving. Yes, it is wrong to do so. Drinking and driving is very dangerous and that’s why those who do so are penalized. However, there is more to the laws than clear guilty and not guilty verdicts.

Proof Your Guilty
The basic test states use is the breathalyzer test. Though sometimes inaccurate, it’s the best on-site test for BAC that an officer has. It can generally prove your guilty. If you also fail a sobriety test – such as walking in a straight line or counting back numbers – it’s less damaging. If you also fail a blood test, the most accurate of all BAC tests, you are likely guilty of something, but still have a case for defense.

Prove Your Innocent
BAC tests are not always accurate; blood tests are the most accurate. Breathalyzer tests can hold in court, but officers often enough fail to use the device correctly. The breathalyzer is usually accurate, but it must be used correctly by the officer. It can be disproved in court. Now, on the other hand, you may have been drinking and driving under age. If you have any level of alcohol in your blood – even as low as .01 in some states – you can be charged. That’s a very low number to test for, and a blood test is most accurate. Your defense can be based on the fact the BAC tests were used incorrectly, that you were treated inappropriately by the officer, that the officer never told you your rights or your options when it came to sobriety tests, and many other defenses. You need a lawyer in any DUI case, no matter if you feel guilty or not.

How Effective Are BAC Tests?
BAC tests are subject to human error. A defense can sometimes prove, with an expert, that the tests were used incorrectly. Also, it’s not as easy as it sounds to use a breathalyzer. If it can be proven that the officer botched the test, using it incorrectly, you have a clear defense.

BAC tests are supposed to prove guilt. In fact, sometimes they prove innocence. If you’re unsure of a defense based on the validity of a BAC test, contact an experienced DUI lawyer.

California drunk driving laws define “driving under the influence” or DUI as being “unable to drive a vehicle with the caution of a sober person, using ordinary care, under similar circumstances”. San Jose drivers can also be arrested if they are operating a motor vehicle with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of 0.08% or higher. San Jose drivers under the age of 21 can be arrested and charged with DUI if their BAC is 0.02% or higher. Drivers with a BAC over the legal limit do not have to show signs of mental or physical impairment to be arrested. San Jose police officers can establish probable cause for a driver’s arrest through observation, chemical tests (blood, breath or urine) or through a field sobriety test.

Hiring a San Jose DUI Lawyer

Drivers who are arrested for DUI must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If the arresting officer did not have probable cause to stop the driver or the chemical test was not performed properly, the evidence can be challenged. DUI law can be complicated, and it is important to find a California criminal defense lawyer who specializes in defending DUI cases. A San Jose DUI attorney can help any driver who has been arrested in Santa Clara County or through out Northern California. Does the California attorney you are considering have the right experience, knowledge and training to defend you against your DUI charge? You do not have to fight this charge alone; San Jose DUI lawyers can help.

San Jose DUI penalties

First DUI Conviction in San Jose

San Jose drivers can receive a variety of penalties for their first DUI arrest including:

·         Required jail stay for a minimum of 48 hours

·         Required probationary period of 3 to 5 years

·         Required to pay fines ranging from $1400 – $1800 (and additional court fees) The DUI fines can be financed but must be paid with in 45 days. The court may allow certain fines to be discharged by performing community service

·         The courts will require the San Jose driver to complete a 3-6 month drug and alcohol program

·         The San Jose driver’s license will be suspended for 10 months but the court may allow a restricted license for travelling to work or school

Second DUI Conviction in San Jose

·         Required jail stay for a minimum of 96 hours

·         Required probationary period of 3 to 5 years

·         Required to pay fines ranging from $1800 – $2800 (and additional court fees) The DUI fines can be financed but must be paid with in 45 days.

·         The courts will require the San Jose driver to complete a 18 month drug and alcohol program

·         A driver’s license will be suspended for 18 months but the court may allow a restricted license for travelling to work or school after 12 months

Third DUI Conviction in San Jose

·         Required jail stay for a minimum of 120 days

·         Required probationary period of 3 to 5 years

·         Required to pay fines ranging from $1800 – $2800 (and additional court fees) The DUI fines can be financed but must be paid with in 45 days.

·         The San Jose driver’s license will be suspended for 18 months to 3 years

·         The San Jose driver must install an Ignition Interlock Device on their car

If you have been arrested for DUI in San Jose, California, it is important to find a San Jose DUI lawyer who can help you establish a successful defense against your drunken driving charge. No DUI attorney can guarantee success, but choosing a skilled and knowledgeable DUI lawyer is the first step to protect your self. Do not plead guilty with out consulting a San Jose DUI attorney and finding out what DUI penalties you may receive and the legal defenses which may be available to you.

Have you been arrested for DUI in Seattle? Did you refuse to take or fail a field sobriety test? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you may need the help of a Settle DUI lawyer. Field sobriety tests are a valuable tool for Seattle law enforcement officers and are standardized tools to detect drivers who are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI) or who have consumed alcohol and reached the illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level but continue to drive.

States have a variety of names for drunken driving. Some states refer to it as DUI (driving under the influence) and others call it DWI (driving while impaired or intoxicated) or OUI (operating under influence). Regardless of the name, it is illegal in all states to operate a motor vehicle if you are unable to drive safely.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standardized the field sobriety test in the late 1970s, and today the test is comprised of three components: the horizontal gaze nystagmus, the walk and turn test and the one leg stand test. Police officers do not always use the field sobriety test evidence in court, but it is one tool an officer has to establish probable cause for a DUI arrest in Seattle. Evidence can also be gathered through observations of the Seattle driver’s driving and a chemical test of the driver’s blood, urine or breath.

Unfortunately, although the field sobriety test can be a great tool for gathering DUI evidence, it also is a subjective assessment of a driver’s condition and may not always produce conclusive results. Drivers who are fatigued, over-weight, aged or on other medications may not always perform the tests successfully.

Hiring a Seattle DUI lawyer

DUI attorneys in Seattle can review the field sobriety test results and other evidence gathered by the arresting officer to determine if the officer performed the test correctly and had enough evidence to arrest the driver for DUI. Seattle DUI lawyers defend hundreds of drivers each year and can answer all of the driver’s Seattle DUI questions and explain the potential DUI penalties drivers may face if they are convicted of DUI in Seattle.

Drivers may refuse to take a field sobriety test in Seattle, but whether or not that is a good idea can depend on a variety of factors. Police officers may not need to complete a field sobriety test to have probable cause to arrest a driver. Drivers who are arrested for DUI in Seattle may be required to submit to a chemical test of their blood, breath or urine. Under Washington’s Implied Consent Laws if a Seattle driver refuses to take the chemical test it can result in the immediate suspension of their driver’s license. This suspension may or may not be successfully challenged through an administrative hearing. Call a DUI lawyer in Seattle for more information about your DUI arrest.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

Seattle police officers may use the HGN or horizontal gaze nystagmus to measure the rapid or involuntary movement of the driver’s eyeball. Scientific studies have proven that consuming drugs or alcohol can affect the ability of the brain to control the muscles in the eye. If the driver is unable to follow the movement of a flashlight or pen with a controlled, coordinated movement as it is slowly moved horizontally across the drivers face, it could be an indication they are intoxicated. Bouncing and jerking motions of the eye can be one side-affect of consuming alcohol or drugs. Seattle drivers who have taken certain medications or who have a congenital eye defect can also have reactions to the HGN test which mimics the reaction of consuming alcohol or drugs.

Walk and Turn

We have all seen the person on the side of the road walking a real or imaginary line, but what are they doing and why has the officer asked them to perform the walk and turn test? The officer is testing the driver’s coordination and balance and their ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. The walk and turn test requires the driver to take 9 steps with their hands at their sides and their feet stepping heel to toe. If the driver sways, falls or has to use their hands to balance themselves, it could be an indication that they are DUI.

Prior to the test, it is important for Seattle drivers to remove uncomfortable footwear, such as high heals, and complete the test on a dry, flat surface. Seattle officers should also give clear directions before the walk and turn test is begun.

One Leg Stand

Can a driver balance on one leg, their foot raised off the ground approximately 6 inches and count to 30? If not, it could be an indication they are intoxicated. Drivers can fail the one leg stand test if they fail to maintain balance, fall, shift, lose count or have to use their arms to balance themselves. The NHTSA estimates if this test is done correctly the accuracy rating can be as high as 83%.

A field sobriety test is a good tool and it can provide valuable evidence to Seattle law enforcement officers. Evaluating the results of the test is a subjective process, and Seattle officers can make mistakes. If you have failed a field sobriety test, contact a Seattle DUI lawyer.

Quite often, a DUI case comes down to how an officer acts and how you refute his or her testimony. The officer could have, or say they did, pulled you over for running a red light or driving incorrectly. You are then given a breathalyzer. In this instance, you may think the game is over. However, you have rights and you will have your day in court. The example given will be the focus of this blog guide on using officer statements, actions, and testimony to defend a DUI.

Why They Pulled You Over
In the example given, you may have run a red light; in this instance, there is a clear reason to pull you over if in fact this is true. If you were driving incorrectly, that’s a different interpretation. You may have been driving fine, and in fact there was no reason to pull you over. The officer can pull you over for a variety of other reasons, but they legally have to relate to your driving. If you were driving correctly, and the officer pulled you over because you were a minority, were a young driver, were a woman, even if you were a white male and the officer took a chance, these are illegal. The problem is this can be very difficult to prove in court. It’s not always ethnic background or sex, but it’s been reported, unfortunately, that sometimes officers pull you over simply based on how you look.

How Did You Act?
If you acted in a way that seemed odd, the officer can use this as evidence of giving you a breathalyzer. In our example, you may have been legally pulled over for running a red light; the officer then briefly questioned you and thought you acted odd. In this case, your defense can be based on what you believe happened. Maybe you were just nervous or mad about being pulled over. Perhaps you have a medical condition. There are many explanations for acting oddly beyond drinking and driving. Your defense can refute why the officer pulled you over, why they tested you for alcohol, and why they arrested you.

The Sobriety Test
Technically, sobriety tests beyond a breathalyzer or blood test can be wrong. Breathalyzer tests can also be used incorrectly. And you do you not to take certain sobriety tests, such as walking in a straight line, as no states have laws on the books saying you have to. You are required to take the breathalyzer, but even if you do and fail, it does not mean defense is impossible. The best proof of a DUI is the blood test, where human error is negligible.

What Can You Do?
If you feel you were pulled over for no legal reason, if the officer acted in error, if the sobriety test was wrong, if the breathalyzer was incorrect, and if you believe your innocence you need an experienced DUI lawyer. This is too complex of a case to handle alone.

The important thing is you can win. While most DUI cases where both officer testimony, the breathalyzer, and the blood test show clear intoxication do end up in a guilty verdict, there is a lot of room for error. You can refute the testimony of the officer with witnesses. You can prove you were not drinking at all. You can report how you acted oddly in the sobriety test because of a physical impairment. There are more defenses than you might think. If you’re innocent and you know it, you have a right to hire a lawyer. On the other hand, if you’re guilty and you know it, it’s too difficult to win if the proof is irrefutable, but you still should hire a lawyer in order to lessen charges.

Oakland law enforcement officers, like other officers across the state of California, use field sobriety tests to help determine if drivers are intoxicated or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI). Field sobriety tests results are not always used in court to convict a defendant of DUI, but they are used to provide probable cause for a DUI arrest.

Field sobriety tests were standardized in the late 1970s by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with the help of the Southern California Research Institute. The standardized test is comprised of three testing components: the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the one leg stand test and the walk the line test. These tests have been scientifically proven to provide evidence of intoxication.

All states, including California, have made it illegal for drivers to operate a motor vehicle if their BAC or blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher. Oakland drivers may also be charged with DUI or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol if they are “unable to drive a vehicle with the caution of a sober person, using ordinary care, under similar circumstances”. Oakland officers who witness any type of illegal or erratic driving actions and have probable cause to believe a driver is intoxicated have the legal authority to stop the driver and ask them to submit to an Oakland field sobriety test.

Hiring an Oakland DUI Lawyer

Drivers who have failed a field sobriety test in Oakland, California, should contact an Oakland DUI lawyer. DUI lawyers in Oakland can help the driver potentially get their DUI charges reduced or dismissed. If a dismissal is not possible, a DUI lawyer may be able to negotiate a more favorable DUI sentence. DUI attorneys can build solid DUI defenses for their Oakland clients and help their clients avoid high fines, probation and potential jail sentences. Oakland DUI attorneys can not guarantee a dismissal, but they can provide professional, affordable DUI help.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

The horizontal gaze nystagmus test allows the police officer to test the nystagmus or the “congenital or acquired persistent, rapid, involuntary, and oscillatory movement of the eyeball.”  To test the nystagmus the officer will move an object, generally a pen or small light, in front of the driver’s face and ask them to follow the light with out moving their head. Intoxicated drivers are less able to control their eye movements and their eyes generally have an exaggerated or jerking motion as they track the object. Sober drivers are generally able to track the light with a slow coordinated motion, unless they are taking certain types of medication, have neurological issues or have a congenital eye defect.

Walk and Turn Test

The walk and turn test has been developed to test a driver’s ability to perform a variety of simple tasks which most sober drivers can easily do. Drivers are asked to stand straight, face forward and walk heel to toe for 9 steps, turn and walk back. Can the driver stand straight and walk down the line with out falling, swaying or using their arms for balance? Did the driver follow directions? Did the driver walk heel to toe? The officer will evaluate each of these elements of the test. Multiple failures can be an indication of intoxication. Prior to the test, the Oakland officer should allow the driver to remove uncomfortable footwear, give clear instructions and make sure the test is performed on a solid, dry, flat surface.

One Leg Stand Test

The one leg stand test is similar to the walk the line test. It also measures the ability of Oakland drivers to complete a series of simple tasks. Oakland drivers are asked to stand straight, their arms to their sides and their face forward. The driver must raise one of their feet approximately 6 inches from the ground and count for 30 seconds aloud. Swaying, falling, losing count, or using their hands for balance is not allowed. The officer will track all testing failures. Multiple failures can be an indication of intoxication.

Refusing a Field Sobriety Test in Oakland, California

Can Oakland drivers refuse to submit to a field sobriety test? Yes, it is legal, but officers may have enough evidence of DUI with out the results of the test and decide to arrest the driver anyway.

Under California’s Implied Consent Laws, Oakland drivers have given their “implied consent” to submit to a chemical test of their breath, blood or urine if asked to do so by an Oakland police officer. Drivers who refuse to submit to a chemical test may have their California driver’s license immediately suspended. License suspensions can be challenged by filing an administrative appeal with in specified number of days from the DUI arrest.

If you have failed a field sobriety test in Oakland, California, or if you have refused to take a chemical test and need help filing the license suspension appeal paperwork, contact a DUI lawyer in Oakland. DUI attorneys in California can make sure you get the help you need and get you back on the road as soon as possible.

Penalties for a DWI arrest in New Mexico can vary for drivers depending on whether it is their first DWI arrest, the amount alcohol in their blood (BAC), the county where they are arrested and if their DWI caused another person bodily injury or death. New Mexico has some of the toughest DWI laws in the country, and even if this is the driver’s first DWI offense, it is a good idea to call a New Mexico DWI lawyer. A DWI attorney can review the DWI case and answer all of the DWI questions.

DWI in the state of New Mexico includes:

1. Operating a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs at a level which makes the driver incapable of safely operating the car.
2. The driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. If the driver is a commercial truck driver it is illegal to operate a truck with a BAC of 0.04% or higher.
3. The driver is under the age of 21, and their BAC is 0.02% or higher

Aggravated DWI can occur if a New Mexico driver has a BAC of 0.16% or higher, the driver causes personal injury to another person while they are intoxicated or they refuse to take a chemical test.

Penalties for DWI in New Mexico

First offense

(Misdemeanor)

• Could be required to spend up to 90 days in jail
• Mandatory attendance of an alcohol education class and an alcohol evaluation class
• License revocation for 6 months to 1 year. If the driver is under the age of 21 their license will be suspended for 1 year.
• Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device for one year
• Community Service

Second Offense

(Misdemeanor)

• Required 2 year license revocation
• 96 hours mandatory jail sentence and up to 364 days in jail
• Required to pay a fine of $500 and up to a maximum of $1,000
• Alcohol evaluation and class
• Required community service
• Required installation of Ignition Interlock Device

Third Offense

(Misdemeanor)

• Mandatory 3 year license revocation
• Up to 5 years probation
• Minimum $750 fines and penalties with a maximum of $1,000
• Required community service
• Mandatory attendance in an alcohol treatment program
• Mandatory installation of an Ignition Interlock Device for 3 years

Fourth Offense

(Felony in the 4^th Degree)

• Permanent license revocation with a 5 year court review
• Mandatory alcohol treatment and evaluation class
• Lifetime Ignition Interlock Device with a 5 year court review
• Maximum $5,000 fine
• Maximum 18 months in prison with 6 months mandatory jail time

Refusing to take a breath or blood test

New Mexico drivers who refuse to submit to a blood test will automatically lose their driver’s license for 20 days after their DWI arrest. This revocation can be challenged by filing a written request for a DWI hearing with in ten days from the date of the DWI arrest. The arresting officer will generally give the driver notice of revocation at the time they are arrested. If not, the Department of Motor Vehicles will send the notice via registered mail.

Failure to make a written request for a DWI administrative hearing will lead to the revocation of the driver’s New Mexico driver’s license. A request for a hearing must be received by the motor vehicle department with in 10 days from the date of the DWI arrest. A DWI attorney can help complete this form and review all of the DWI arrest information.

Common Questions about DWI arrests in New Mexico

• Do I need to hire a New Mexico criminal defense lawyer?

New Mexico drivers do not have to hire a New Mexico DWI lawyer, but New Mexico’s DWI laws are some of the toughest in the country. Failure to file the proper DWI forms can lead to a license suspension. DWI offenses are not like other traffic violations. Serious consequences for a DWI arrest can include: jail time, fines and penalties, alcohol treatment classes and license suspensions.

• What happens if my first DWI was an aggravated DWI?

Drivers who are arrested with a blood alcohol level of 0.16% or higher, who have caused injury to another driver or who have refused to submit to a BAC test can be charged with an aggravated DWI. The type of penalties assessed against the driver will depend on many different factors, but at the minimum, the driver will be required to spend at least 48 hours in jail. A criminal defense lawyer can review your case and tell you the specific penalties you may face.