Virginia DUI Lawyer Defense Tactics

If you are charged with a Virginia DUI, you need to learn about the offense. And you need to consult with an expert Virginia DUI lawyer. Even if this is your first offense, you are still facing a significant fine, loss of your driver’s license, and possible jail time.

A DUI case involves many legal elements. This summary explains three ways the Commonwealth of Virginia can prove that you were intoxicated. Most cases combine one or more different factors to meet the government’s burden of proof.

Pre-stop behavior

Erratic driving behavior or unsafe driving is usually the first thing an officer notices about you. While this is normally used to show that the officer had probable cause to make a traffic stop, it can also be used as evidence of intoxication. If the officer (or other witnesses) testify that you were weaving in and out of lanes, driving erratically, or some other odd behavior, it is important to see if there is a way to rebut the testimony.

Were you really driving erratically? How is the officer sure it was your vehicle? Was there some reason other than alcohol that explains your behavior? These, and other questions, are points to cover with your attorney.

Field sobriety tests (FSTs)

Like your driving behavior, field sobriety tests have a dual purpose: determining whether there is probable cause for an arrest and proving that you were intoxicated. What many people don’t know is that field sobriety tests are not indisputable.

Only four tests have been scientifically studied to determine if they actually indicate intoxication: heel to toe, walk and turn, one leg stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus. Even these tests must be conducted using the same procedures as the studies, or there is no way to know if they are accurate.

Depending upon the officer’s training, what happened at the scene, and the specific tests used, there may be effective ways to cast doubt upon or have the tests excluded from evidence.

Breath / blood alcohol test

One of the most certain ways for the Commonwealth to prove your intoxication is with an approved breath or blood alcohol analysis. But these tests are not perfect. There are a number of factors to scrutinize closely and examine at trial, such as:

• Testing procedures – Each alcohol testing method must comply with specific procedures set forth by the Virginia Department of Forensic Science. If these procedures are not done correctly, it can call into doubt (or even invalidate) the results of the alcohol test.
• Licensing – The breath test operator must be properly trained and licensed. Licensing problems can invalidate the breath test certificate.
• Certificate errors – The actual certificate of breath alcohol analysis can be entered as evidence of your intoxication, but only if it is accurate. Errors on the face of the certificate might get it excluded from your trial.

If the Commonwealth successfully introduces evidence of your blood or breath alcohol content, that does not automatically mean you were intoxicated. It simply means that the Commonwealth is entitled to the presumption that you were intoxicated. Your attorney can rebut (dispute) the presumption if there is affirmative evidence that you were not intoxicated at the time.

Call your Virginia DUI lawyer

As you can see, there are lots of factors to analyze when you’re accused of driving while intoxicated. You definitely want to consult with an attorney.

I regularly work with clients who are charged with DUI and other traffic offenses in Virginia courts around Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, and King George.

Call me at 540.318.5824 to discuss your case for free.