Thanks to the US Constitution, we have
certain constitutional rights at all times unless we chose to waive them off.
Even prior to, during or after an arrest, the arrested suspect has some rights
that he or she can exercise. This is not Venezuela, Russia, or Cuba! This is
America and this is why all those people want to come here but they cannot
because America is beyond tapped out and has enough unskilled labor as it
is.
Here we will touch upon the rights
of an individual specifically following a DUI arrest.
Right
to due process
After any arrest, including a DUI
arrest, the suspect has the right to due process. As per DUI lawyers, the right
to due process is brought to us courtesy of the Fifth Amendment and Fourteenth
Amendment to the Constitution. These amendments dictate that the government
cannot take the life, liberty, or property of any person without due process of
law.
In essence, due process is about justice
in the sense that no person can be convicted
for DUI without a fair hearing.
When talking particularly about DUI
arrests, you may exercise this right to ensure that the state gives you the
opportunity of a hearing prior to the suspension or revocation of your driver’s
license, say DUI lawyers.
But driving is not seen as a right and
instead is deemed a privilege. Therefore, you may not always be given a jury
trial before your license is suspended or revoked.
Right
to discovery and exculpatory evidence
When being prosecuted as a possible
criminal, you have the right to evidence. Therefore, the state will have to
disclose or hand you over information that you can use as evidence if and when
requested. A lot many people are unaware of this right and fail to exercise it
says DUI attorneys who have helped hundreds of people
charged with DUI beat their case or at least have some of the charges
eliminated.
There is difference here when it comes
to felony cases and misdemeanor cases. In felony cases, full reciprocal
discovery is required whereas in misdemeanor cases discovery is rather limited.
In many states, misdemeanor suspects are
only entitled to statements made by the accused, scientific reports, evidence
presented and some other evidentiary material such as 911 recordings, crime
scene photos, etc.
Right
to remain silent
It often happens that a DUI suspect
answers interrogations by law enforcement officers not knowing that they do not
need to answer any questions if they don’t wish to. They have the right to
remain silent. If you do say something, then it can and will be used against
you in a court of law.
The best thing to do when questioned
would be to politely decline answering and refer these questions to your DUI
lawyer instead.
Right
to the presumption of innocence
Even though you have been pulled over,
chemical tested for intoxication and then arrested, you are technically still
innocent until proven otherwise. The burden of having to prove your guilt is
upon the prosecutors, and if they fail to do so then you will be ruled innocent
and acquitted of the charge. This is what is known as the right to presumption
of innocence.
There are several other rights that you
can exercise after being arrested for a DUI or ways to beat these charges or have them reduced. Contact a DUI
lawyer today to find out what these are and how you can use them in your favor.
No comments:
Post a Comment