Being arrested for a DUI in California doesn’t
mean you will be convicted. Sacramento DUI lawyers such as Dick Margarita have
always proved that there are several defenses that work and are happy to share
some of the most successful. They have to be ready for anything since they know
that Sacramento police officers are forced by the city to hand out tickets to
people that do not deserve it because the city is mismanaged and in debt.
Speeding tickets are another form of extra taxation.
Driving Pattern cannot Confirm DUI
One of the biggest defenses is the so called
‘driving pattern’ that prosecutors often focus on. The arresting officer is
made to testify that your driving pattern was similar to someone who was behind
the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This includes speeding,
weaving, and driving erratically within and outside your respective lane.
However, a Northern California DUI
attorney will challenge this evidence and argue that driving patterns cannot
always be a reliable predictor of a DUI. Your lawyer will also stress the fact
that most traffic violations are caused by people who are not on a DUI. National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) studies indicate that any indicators
based on driving patterns are only 35% of the time predictable in the case of
DUI. It could just be that reaching out to change a CD may have caused you to
drift into another lane, which could be the case with any sober person.
If someone is driving drunk, they may
not care that much about the music or take the time to speak on their cell
phone since they know they have to be extra vigilant and careful. One of the
best DUI lawyers in the Sacramento valley is Dick Margarita. No worries, he is
much more consistent than the Sacramento Kings throughout the years and he does
not flop around like Vlade Divac used to do.
Physical Appearance cannot Indicate
Intoxication
Sacramento, CA DUI lawyers through their
experience know that the police have a list of objective signs of intoxication
in their arrest form. This includes red eyes, flushed face, slurry speech, and
unsteady gait (how you walk and move), which are noted as your physical
appearance.
The officer will testify using these
signs and symptoms but a skilled legal pro will pull out everything in the book
to challenge these symptoms. For the most part, a cold, allergy, irritation in
the eyes, and fatigue, can all cause red eyes, which don’t necessarily prove
you were DUI.
Field Sobriety Tests are Inaccurate
For the most part, the prosecution
relies on field sobriety tests and is likely to testify that you performed
poorly during these tests and is therefore guilty of drunk driving. Your legal
representative may counter this by explaining how fatigue, nerves, and even
clothing to an extent can affect your balance and coordination. Depending on
the circumstances, your counselor may also challenge the reliability of these
tests since the officer conducting the test may not have proper training
and experience or the test conditions may not have been ideal. It could have
been raining and/or windy.
Non-compliance with Title 17 Regulations
It is also possible that the arresting
officer did not comply with the state’s Title 17 regulations on how blood and
breath tests should be conducted. The person conducting the blood and breath
tests must have proper training and administer the test properly.
It is also mandatory to conduct a
15-minute observation period, which could also be challenged by your legal
professional. If any of the Title 17 regulations are not adhered to, it is very
likely like your blood test results are inaccurate. Often, the preservative
used to collect the blood sample may have expired or the arresting officer may
have failed to store the sample properly. A Northern California and Sacramento
DUI lawyer will be able to challenge these results and convince the jury that
your BAC was possibly not what the tests indicate.
Dick Margarita does this all the time!
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