Tag Archives: Drunk driving in the United States

What is involved in a Field Sobriety Test in Washington D.C.

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By the 1970s, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had developed the Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) in cooperation with the Southern California Research Institute. The NHTSA claims that this series of tests, if they are performed correctly, are valid indicators for a driver’s intoxication or impairment and can help police officers establish probable cause for a DUI arrest.

Washington, D.C. drivers, who have failed a field sobriety test, can contact a Washington, D.C. DUI lawyer for information. Washington, D.C. field sobriety tests can include: the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN), the walk and turn, and the one leg stand test. Washington, D.C. police officers can use the results of these tests as evidence that the driver is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI).

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in Washington, D.C., and drivers can be arrested if their blood alcohol level is 0.08% or higher or if their driving is impaired by consuming any type of drug or alcoholic beverage. The field sobriety test is a valuable tool for field officers and although the evidence for the field sobriety test is not always used during a DUI trial, it can be used to establish probable cause for a DUI arrest.

Field sobriety tests are conducted by field officers who may fail to give adequate instructions or who may not take into consideration the limitations of certain drivers who perform the test. Washington D.C. drivers who are more than 50 pounds overweight, who have physical limitations, who are fatigued or who are over the age of 65 may have difficulty performing the field sobriety test accurately, even if they are sober. A Washington, D.C. lawyer can review a driver’s field sobriety test and determine if there are any factors, other than intoxication, which may have caused a driver to fail

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

For the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the Washington, D.C. police officer will ask the driver to follow the path of either a small flashlight or pen as the officer moves it horizontally across the driver’s face. The horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test can gage the involuntary jerking of the driver’s eye as it follows the object. Scientific studies have concluded that drivers that are impaired by alcohol or drugs will have a nystagmus which is exaggerated and will have trouble smoothly tracking a moving object. During the test, the Washington, D.C. officer observes the driver’s eyes as they follow the object watching for clues which suggest intoxication. Can the driver follow the object smoothly? Does the onset of nystgmus occur before the eye reaches 45 degrees? If the officer observes these clues he may conclude the driver is intoxicated.

Walk and Turn

For the walk and turn test the driver is instructed to walk 9 steps forward down an imaginary or real line, heel to toe. The driver than should turn and walk back 9 steps. The officer is observing if the Washington, D.C. driver can keep their balance, wait to start the test until after the instructions are given, walk heel to toe, stay on the line, keep their arms to their sides and not fall.

One Leg Stand

For the one leg stand test the driver is instructed to stand on one leg, hands to their side with the other foot suspended 6 inches from the ground. The officer or driver may count aloud for 30 seconds. If the driver puts their leg down, uses their arms for balance, falls, hops or sways it can be evidence of intoxication.

Hiring a Washington, D.C. Lawyer

DUI convictions carry severe, long-lasting penalties including loss of license, higher fines, and potential jail terms. Drivers who fail a field sobriety test in Washington, D.C., can get help from a Washington, D.C. attorney who specializes in criminal law. DUI lawyers in Washington, D.C., understand the complexities of DUI laws and can help Washington, D.C. drivers fight their DUI charges. No DUI lawyer can guarantee that they can get a DUI charge dismissed, but a knowledgeable and competent DUI lawyer is a driver’s best chance for a great DUI defense.

What you need to know after a DWI arrest in Atlanta

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Drivers who have been arrested for DUI or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Atlanta, Georgia, face severe DUI penalties including: fines, high insurance rates, loss of driving privileges, mandatory community service and the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device. Do not leave your future in the hands of an inexperienced DUI attorney, or worse, attempt to fight a DUI charge alone. DUI in Atlanta is not like other moving traffic violations. Pleading guilty to DUI with out understanding the consequences is not a good idea.

Atlanta drivers can be arrested for DUI if they have compromised their ability to drive a motor vehicle by consuming alcohol or drugs or if their BAC or blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher. Drunken driving in Georgia is also commonly called DWI (driving while intoxicated) and OUI (operating under the influence).

Atlanta DUI criminal defense lawyers can interpret Georgia DUI laws and can work to get DUI charges dismissed or lowered. If neither of these options is a possibility, DWI lawyers in Atlanta are ready to take DUI cases to court.

Penalties for DUI in Atlanta

The DUI penalty information provided below is general information and may be updated periodically by the Georgia legislature. It is important to discuss the specific DUI penalties you may face with your own Atlanta DUI lawyer.

First Conviction for DUI in Atlanta

Atlanta drivers who are convicted of DUI in Atlanta may receive the following penalties:

  • Atlanta drivers are required to pay fines of $300 – $1,000.
  • Atlanta drivers are required to spend 10 days to one year in jail. The DUI court may decide to suspend jail sentences or allow probation. Atlanta drivers who have a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of 0.08% must serve a minimum of 24 hours in an Atlanta jail.
  • The court will suspend the license of drivers (over the age of 21) for one year. The court may allow the driver’s license to be reinstated after 120 days- if the driver meets all of the necessary requirements.
  • Atlanta drivers are required to do community service for a minimum of 20 hours if their BAC was less than 0.08% or 40 hours if their BAC was greater than 0.08%.
  • Atlanta drivers are required to attend an alcohol and drug rehabilitation program.

Second Conviction for DUI in Atlanta

With in 10 years of the first DUI conviction

  • Atlanta drivers must spend at least 72 hours in jail.
  • Atlanta drivers must perform community service for at least 30 days.
  • Atlanta drivers must pay fines of $600 – $1,000.
  • Drivers are required to attend a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.
  • The court may suspend a driver’s license up to 3 years. The court may allow the time to be lowered if the driver installs an Ignition Interlock Device in their vehicle.

Third Conviction for DUI in Atlanta
With in 10 years of the second DUI conviction

  • Atlanta drivers must spend a minimum of 15 days in jail. The court may impose a jail sentence of 120 days to 1 year.
  • Atlanta drivers must perform community service for at least 30 days.
  • Atlanta drivers are required to pay fines of $1,000 – $5,000.
  • Atlanta drivers must attend a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.
  • Drivers may face a 5 year license revocation, but the court may reduce the amount of time if the driver installs an Ignition Interlock Device in their vehicle and completes 17 weeks of an alcohol treatment program.

Fourth Conviction in Atlanta
With in 10 years of the third DUI conviction

  • Atlanta drivers are required to spend a minimum of 90 days in jail. The courts may impose a jail sentence from 1 to 5 years.
  • Atlanta drivers must perform community service for at least 60 days.
  • Atlanta drivers are required to pay fines of $1,000 – $5,000.
  • The court requires drivers to attend a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.
  • The court may impose a 5 year license suspension.

Atlanta drivers may be stopped and arrested for DUI if an Atlanta police officer has probable cause to believe they are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drivers who are speeding, tail gating, driving too slowly or breaking any other traffic law can be stopped. If a driver is asked to perform a field sobriety test or a chemical test they have the legal right to refuse but they may face severe DUI penalties including an immediate license suspension or a DUI arrest.

Atlanta DUI lawyers can answer all of your DUI questions and make sure you get the DUI defense you deserve. If you failed a chemical or field sobriety test, we can help. DUI lawyers understand Georgia DUI laws and can build a strong DUI defense.

What To Do After a DUI

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If you are charged with a DUI, you may wonder what to do next. There is cause for worry. However, you have more options than you think. You should always consult with an experienced DUI lawyer, one who is local, one you can afford, and one you can communicate with. Let’s find out what to do after you get a DUI.

Hire a Lawyer
You always need an experienced lawyer. You may think you should simply accept the charges given to you. Never plead guilty to DUI charges. You want a lawyer experienced in the court room. You want a lawyer who you can work with for some amount of time. DUI charges are a long process. You may be in and out of the court room for months. However, you may be found innocent, or you may lessen the charges some.

Question Charges
You may face excessive fines, jail time, and a suspended license. This can change your life greatly. You may not be able to get to and from work without a ride. You may owe hundreds if not thousands of dollars. And you may face some excessive time in jail. You should always question these charges. Simply because you are charged with a DUI does not mean you are guilty. The breathalyzer test is not always accurate. Sometimes the officers infringe on your rights. Maybe you are never told of your rights but. In any case, you will have to fight for our rights.

Facing Charges
You have a better chance with an experienced DUI lawyer. As noted, you should question the charges. You may be found innocent. With DUI charges, you have to be at .08 or above to be charged with a DUI. If you are under age, the laws are different. What happens in court? Your lawyer will be negotiating for you. You have the option of judge or jury, but most court rooms use judges to make decisions on cases. You will be questioned on what happened, but even if you lose you have a chance in appeals court. In appeals court, if what happened in the original court case is found to be wrong, you may have a chance of being found innocent.

Moving On
Unfortunately, most DUI charges are not for first time convictions. Many of us make the mistake of being penalized for more than one DUI. The more DUI charges you get, the more penalties you get. You will face longer jail time. You will face more charges. You may lose your license for a longer period. If you get more than one DUI, you may be charged with a felony. You can move on. The best thing you can do is avoid getting that second DUI. Do whatever you can to avoid it. Call a cab. Ask a friend to help. If you are charged with further DUIs, it will be difficult to move on, but you always have a chance.

While you may think drinking and driving is a minor offense, thousands of lives are lost every year to it. By drinking and driving, you put others and yourself in danger. If you are charged with a DUI, it’s time to consult with an experienced DUI lawyer.

What If You’re Charged with a Minor In Possession?

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What is a Minor in Possession? A MIP means you were caught under age drinking. You might have drank some alcohol and it shows up on a breath test, where in almost all states have any alcohol level in your system is illegal. On the other hand, you might be caught with an alcoholic beverage and are charged. In both cases you have some legal hurdles to climb. If you are unsure of where to begin when charged with an MIP, this blog guide can help.

Why Get a MIP?
Drinking and driving is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and a high number of the fatalities are in fact made by under age drivers. Therefore, the law was made to avoid these deaths. While it may seem odd that you can be 19 or 20 and technically get a “minor” in possession, that is the way the law works. If you are under 21, you are not supposed to drink.

You Should Not Plead Guilty
On the other hand, simply because you drank – and especially if you did not – does not mean you should plead guilty to the charges. You deserve a chance in court. You should question the charges. You should appeal for innocence or to have the charges lessened. Any MIP can be quite stiff in penalties, so if you can avoid them, you can save some valuable time and money.

You Need a Lawyer
When charged with an MIP, you should plead innocent and you also hire an experienced DUI lawyer. A DUI lawyer can help you fight the charges, question what happened, and move on. While a lawyer is not free, with the fines,the jail time, and the other penalties involved, it’s more than worth hiring one.

Charges You Face
What kind of penalties you do you face? Each state has different laws. You can expect to be fined, perhaps $100. You may have to go through a substance abuse treatment program. You may be subject to alcohol screening for some time. These can really impact your life, so it’s smart to both plead innocent and hire a lawyer. You may be able to avoid some if not all these charges.

Moving On
Getting a MIP is never fun. It will likely change your life. Commonly high school and college students get them and it affects their early years. You might get one at a party. You might get caught drinking and driving. Or you may have a drug problem and are caught with drugs on you. Whatever the nature of the MIP, you can move on. It will take 7 years for the MIP to be taken off your record, unless you work with a lawyer and have it expunged. If you get further charges, such as another MIP or a DUI, the penalties can be much stiffer.

While it may not seem like the end of the world to be caught drinking, it can affect your life. The safest thing you can do is avoid going to social gatherings and drinking alcohol under age. While whether this is right or wrong is another story, sometimes it’s best to wait until you are legal.

Advantages of Hiring a Chicago DUI Lawyer

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Getting an Illinois DUI leads to many problems. Some of the penalties are much stricter than in other states. You might pay a fine as high as $2,500 for a first offense, spend up to one year in jail, and have your license suspended for up to a year. If you get a second offense, the charges are similar, but you likely will have your license suspended for 5 years. And the further you go, the more you risk getting felony charges. How can you avoid this? What if you’re pulled over in Chicago for a DUI? You should hire an experienced DUI lawyer.

To avoid problems, you should avoid drinking and driving. But if you are pulled over, it’s time to consider representation. There are many advantages to hiring a Chicago DUI lawyer. This blog guide goes over them.

Understand the Laws
Illinois DUI laws, as in all states, can be quite complex. You get pulled over in Chicago for drinking and driving. You fail the breathalyzer. Case closed, right? Wrong, as you have rights, the breathalyzer is not always right, and you should defend yourself in court. But the value of a lawyer is in that he or she can help you avoid major problems. If you go into court not understanding the charges against you, how can you make a defense?

Question What Happened
A Chicago DUI lawyer’s job is to question what happened – what you did, what the officer did, what the breathalyzer or other sobriety tests said, and what charges are placed against you. This is an important part of the process. You might be down on yourself about the whole situation, but a good lawyer can fight for your rights. He or she might find something wrong with what the officer did, or in the validity of the breath tests, or in how damaging the charges will be to your life.

Avoid Maximum Penalties
Some Illinois DUI penalties can be quite severe, such as losing your license for years or spending years in jail. You may not win, that’s a fact. But you can at least lessen the penalties made against you. Without an experienced Chicago DUI lawyer, you won’t have this chance.

Save You Money
Some Illinois DUI penalties come with a heavy price tag. Some may cost you your job (such as if you cannot drive to work anymore). You might think a lawyer will cost you money. There will be some fees. But if you can stay out of jail, that saves you money from losing your job, losing assets, and losing your life. If you can continue to drive, you might also be able to keep your job. If you can avoid excessive fines, though sometimes minor, this too can help.

Represent You In Court
Finally, the biggest advantage in hiring an experienced Chicago DUI lawyer is in that he or she represents your rights in courts. There are so many things which might happen. The officer may have violated your rights in the arrest. The breathalyzer test may have been used incorrectly (which does happen). Or you may have not been driving at all. In court, a DUI lawyer can question what happened and ask that you be acquitted, if not at the least have lesser penalties.

7 New York DWI Laws to Know

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New York uses the term Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) for its drinking and driving laws. The problem is that DWIs are a leading cause of death. The answer is to avoid drinking and driving at all. You might get a designated driver. You might call a cab. You might simply stay where you are. You do anything but drive after drinking. If you do drink and drive, you risk being charged with a DWI. New York DWI laws can be quite complex, but this blog guide can help you with the basics.

First Offense
You might expect a first New York DWI offense to be quite lenient. Actually, you can expect a fine of at least $500, to have your license suspended for six months, and to spend up to a year in jail. If you make this mistake, make it your last, and be sure to hire an experienced DWI lawyer.

Second Offense
The second DWI offense gets even more serious. As in most states, if you receive a second DUI before a certain amount of time has passed – in New York it’s 10 years – you can be charged with a felony. Felony charges are the maximum charges you can get for a driving offense. You can expect larger fines, more time in jail, and a longer license suspension.

Third Offense
If you get a third or further offense, you can expect prolonged jail time, to lose your license for years time, and to get some big fines. If you are unfortunate enough to go this far, you are at the mercy of the courts, but you may not be guilty. You should always fight the charges, and should do so with a  DWI lawyer.

DWAI
This term is driving while ability impaired, and means you were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, if not both. The charges are similar as a DWI. If you get caught smoking drugs, for example, you can be charged with this and also be charged with possession.

DWI and Prescription Drugs
Even legal drugs can lead to DWI charges. Even if you are prescribed medicine, if it affects your ability to drive you should not take it before driving. An officer still needs a valid reason to pull you over, but if your driving is impaired, you break a law, and are pulled over, you can be charged with a DWI and get subsequent charges.

Aggravated DWI
In the state of New York, the aggravated DWI charge means you were tested as having a BAC (blood alcohol content) level over .18. It’s illegal to be at .08 in all 50 states, but if you are even further intoxicated, you are a greater danger on the road, and are subject to serious charges.

Your Right to a DWI Lawyer
No DWI charge is final. No DWI charge means guilt is assured. You should hire an experienced New York DWI lawyer if you are charged with this crime, you should question the charges, and you should plead not guilty in court.

Your Options for Defending Drinking and Driving Charges

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A DUI defense is always possible. You may consider pleading guilty. You may just accept the charges. You might not hire a DUI lawyer to defend you. But these are mistakes. You have options for defending a drinking and driving charge. This guide explains them to you.

Plead Guilty?
You should almost never plead guilty to a DUI charge. The problem with pleading guilty is that you are accepting the full charges. You may be guilty of some of what happened, but you need not accept every charge made against you. Instead, you should hire a lawyer and prepare a defense.

Plead Not Guilty
Pleading not guilty to a drinking and driving charge is one of your options, and it’s the best. There may be a problem with the blood alcohol test. The arresting officer may have made a mistake. Your lawyer may find a problem in what happened, or proof you might not have been intoxicated at all. In other words, you should almost always plead innocent, as it’s your right.

The BAC Level
Blood alcohol level tests are not 100% accurate. Few tests on your body are without some chance of being wrong. The breathalyzer, for example, has a history of being wrong. It is subject to human error; simply because you fail it does not mean you are guilty. Therefore, it’s time to question it. Blood tests are much more accurate, but they too are subject to some error.

The Arresting Officer
Sometimes the arresting officer makes mistakes. He or she might pull you over for no reason. The officer may break your rights during the arrest. The officer might profile you simply because you are a minority, a woman, or in a certain make of car. You have clear legal rights. The officer must have a valid, provable reason for pulling you over. You cannot just be pulled over because it’s late or because you look intoxicated. You must break a law to be pulled over in the first place.

Your Lawyer Options
Perhaps the most important right you have when charged with drinking and driving is to representation. You need an experienced DUI lawyer, someone who specializes in handling these cases, who you can hire to fight for your rights,who you can communicate with, and who you can afford. You have the option for a court appointed lawyer, or even to defend yourself, but this is a big decision and a very important defense. You need a professional. A court appointed lawyer has no stake in your defense; he or she might even advise you to plead guilty or accept the charges, always a mistake. Unless you are a DUI lawyer, you should never defend yourself.

Drinking and driving is a major problem, and a mistake. But guilt is not always 100%, even if you can admit some mistakes. Know your options and prepare an effective defense.

6 Illinois DUI Defense Strategies

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You were pulled over, arrested, and charged with a DUI. It’s all over, right? Actually, you have many opportunities for defense. And a strong defense is important, as you can expect some serious charges. Even a first DUI can lead to up to six months in jail and $2,500 in fines, not to mention having your license suspended. And if you have multiple DUI charges or someone is hurt in an accident you cause, you will face even tougher charges. How can you avoid charges? With a strong DUI defense. Don’t give up, as there are strategies for defeating an Illinois DUI charge.

The Illegal Stop
You cannot be pulled over without cause. If you’re pulled over because you are a minority, for example, that is of course illegal. If you are pulled over on suspicion of drinking, simply because you are driving at night, that is illegal. If you are pulled over because you swerve between lanes, you may think this is valid, but you are breaking no law. You must make a real mistake, such as speeding, in order to be pulled over.

Problem with the Field Sobriety Test
First, you do not have to take the field sobriety test. Note there is a difference between the breathalyzer – which is required by law – and field tests, where you might stand on one leg. These tests have been proven to be inaccurate reading of your ability to drive.

Incorrect Breath Test
Breath tests are not 100% accurate. No DUI test is without some danger of being inaccurate. The problem with the breathalyzer test is that it is subject to human error. If you are pulled over by an Illinois officer, are given the breath test, and fail, it does not always merit charges. There are many scenarios where the breathalyzer can be wrong. It makes no difference on your weight, whether you are a man or woman, nor if you ate food along with the alcohol.

Blood Test Problems
Blood tests are not 100% accurate either. The police may in fact not correctly take your blood. They can be wrong in testing, analysis, and/or preservation methods. The blood test is the most accurate of all BAC tests, but this is a human system, and no human system is perfect.

Witnesses
If there are witnesses to what happened, you may be able to make a clear Illinois DUI defense. They may have seen the arresting officer do something wrong. They may be willing to testify as to if you were intoxicated. A witness can often disprove what the arresting officer said.

Officer History
If the arresting Illinois officer has a history of mistakes, such as in pulling people over for no reason, this can be used in court against the charges. They may have pulled people over illegally. The officer may have lied under oath before. The officer may have made mistakes in taking breath tests.

No matter what, you should question DUI charges. A strong Illinois DUI defense is always possible. If you are unsure of where to begin, it’s time to speak with an experienced Illinois DUI lawyer.

Preparing a Pennsylvania DUI Defense

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Pennsylvania is unique in the ways the laws are interpreted, with penalties based on your BAC (blood alcohol content) The 3 levels are: .08 to .099, which is lowest; .1 to .159, which has a higher penalty; and .16 and above, which has the highest penalty. If you’re a Pennsylvania resident, and are caught drinking and driving, what penalties you face depend on the situation. But as you’ll see, you do have legal options and rights.

Know Your Rights
You have a right to a lawyer and a right to a defense. That means you can hire a professional to handle your case and question what happened. You can question the arresting officer on a variety of questions. You have a right to defense in a court room, and this means you always have a chance. But some consider pleading guilty, hoping to avoid a long battle. This is a mistake; you do not have to plead guilty even if you were drinking; hire a professional lawyer and make no decisions without legal counsel.

Know the Penalties
The higher your BAC, the higher the penalty. In all 50 states, you face license suspension, jail time, and fines for a DUI or DWI. The more penalties you get, the more likely you’ll face felony charges. Pennsylvania is unique in its BAC level punishment. For a first time DUI with only a .8 BAC, for example, you might not even lose your license. But get two or three of these charges and you may face a felony. If you go above .16, even on a first offense you almost always get some jail time.

Question What Happened
Why should you question what happened? Because there are laws for police officers too. If you feel you were treated wrong – and there are a variety of things which may happen – you deserve a voice. A court room is not the time to get mean or attack someone, but it is a place to ask why you were pulled over and if your rights were broken.

Know Your Legal Options
You have a right to a professional Pennsylvania DUI lawyer. You have other options: you can defend yourself in court, or use a court appointed lawyer. But you get much less value from a court appointed lawyer, who will not specialize, who will not have the necessary time to defend you, and who will have no incentive. If you want to defend yourself, understand this rarely works. There is no room for learning on the job; you have to prepare an effective defense, and a professional lawyer is needed for that.

Avoid Multiple Pennsylvania DUI Penalties
If you get charged once, no matter your BAC level, leave it at that. The more charges you get, the bigger the penalties will be and the harder a defense will be.

Choosing a Michigan DUI Lawyer

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DUI laws are intended to protect drivers and pedestrians, which is why you face jail time, fines, and long license suspensions for driving with drugs or alcohol in your system. Thousands of deaths every year are attributed to DUI, and Michigan DUI laws are designed to punish those who endanger others.

But if you made the mistake, you likely feel bad enough. Who can help? You need a Michigan DUI lawyer with experience in defense. You need an experienced lawyer capable of challenging the charges, fighting for your rights, and making the final decision a fair one.

How do you find a good DUI lawyer?
The State Bar of Michigan (found at MichBar.com) is a good access point for finding prospective lawyers, even providing help for those who simply cannot afford high fees. Searching online, even if you get access from a local library, can be invaluable in finding an experienced lawyer capable of defending you. You should always meet with the lawyer before making any decisions, go over rates and experience, and also make sure you can communicate well with him or her.

What penalties can you avoid?
You might think a defense is impossible. Or you may be outraged at what happened and how you were treated. A defense is always possible, and if you were wronged, your rights can be protected. In Michigan, DUI law is stiff. As in all states, if you have a  blood alcohol content (BAC) or .08%, you can be charged. If you are charged, you can expect license suspension, fines, and potential jail time. For a first offense, you rarely get long jail time, though there is the potential for up to 93 days. You also pay less in fines and your license suspension can be months. However, just with a second Michigan DUI offense, you can spend up to 1 year in jail, have extended license suspensions, and pay up to $1,000 in fines.

On the other hand, if you were wronged – if your rights were violated – you may be able to avoid some or all penalties. You have a right to a defense, as provided by the sixth amendment, and the best defense is with a lawyer who understands Michigan DUI law, what happens in court, and how a defense is constructed.

Your DUI Defense Options
You have three options – and these options are not all equal – when preparing a DUI defense: defend yourself, use a court appointed lawyer, or hire a professional Michigan lawyer. Rule out defending yourself unless you are a DUI lawyer. If you cannot afford to hire a Michigan DUI lawyer, use the court appointed lawyer, who will at least have court experience. The best defense, especially if you want to challenge the charges, is with a professional DUI lawyer. He or she will specialize in DUI law, will have incentive to help you, and can invest a lot of time into your defense.