Charges for driving under the influence (DUI) in California can have serious impacts on your life. You could face jail time, fines, and the suspension of your driver’s license if you are convicted in court. For this reason, it’s very important that you focus on the best ways to fight and beat your California DUI charges.
You can immediately improve your odds of beating a DUI charge in California by reaching out to a professional DUI lawyer. The legal team at the Simmrin Law Group can help you review the four best ways to handle DUI charges right now.
#1: Demonstrate That You Weren’t Driving Under the Influence
Police officers in California can stop drivers for operating their vehicles in an erratic manner. Law enforcement officers often claim that you are operating your vehicle in a way consistent with the use of alcohol or drugs. You may face these accusations if you were:
- Speeding
- Weaving in your lane
- Failing to hold a constant speed
While these behaviors may be erratic, they do not automatically mean you were driving under the influence. In fact, most erratic traffic violations are committed by sober individuals. Furthermore, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that assessing driving patterns only allows police officers to detect DUIs in around 35% of cases.
Showing that you were operating your vehicle erratically for reasons not tied to alcohol use can help you beat DUI charges in California.
#2: Show That Your Objective Symptoms Weren’t Caused by Drinking
You could be charged with a DUI in California if you display objective symptoms associated with alcohol consumption. Law enforcement officers may arrest you if:
- You walk unsteadily
- You have red eyes or a flushed face
- You speak with a slur
- They smell alcohol on your breath
However, many of these symptoms are not caused only by the consumption of alcohol. For example, many drivers have red, watery eyes and a flushed face if they are dealing with allergies or a cold. Drivers may walk unsteadily and slur if they are very tired.
#3: Argue That a Field Sobriety Test Didn’t Demonstrate Your Impairment
Prosecutors often use the results of field sobriety tests (FSTs) when attempting to secure a DUI conviction in California. You may be asked to perform an FST after being stopped by a law enforcement officer. You will likely be asked to perform a number of physical challenges to “pass” this test.
However, even sober people often have difficulty completing FSTs in a satisfactory manner. A criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles could work to show that you failed a test because:
- You were nervous about the traffic stop
- You were tired or fatigued
- You have flat feet or other physical restrictions
- You were wearing restrictive clothing
The results of FSTs may also be called into question based on the way they were administered. Law enforcement officers must be properly trained to carry out FSTs. If your test was not proctored correctly, it could lead to false-positive results that can be disputed by a DUI lawyer.
#4: Show That Your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Testing Was Inaccurate
Many DUI charges in California rely on the results of BAC tests. You may be asked to complete a:
- Breath test
- Blood test
- Urine test
Breath and blood tests are used most commonly. You should only be forced to take a urine test if other tests are unavailable. All of these tests must follow specific guidelines in order to provide accurate results. Your test results may be inaccurate if:
- The officer did not complete an observation period of 15 minutes
- The officer was not properly trained to perform the tests
- The testing equipment was not properly calibrated or maintained
- The test samples were not collected, handled, or stored properly
In any of these situations, a DUI lawyer could be able to dispute the results of your BAC tests. Creating doubt about the accuracy of a BAC test can severely weaken the prosecution’s case, increasing your odds of fighting and beating a California DUI charge.
Fight and Beat DUI Charges in California Today
You don’t have to try to fight a DUI accusation in California on your own. You can get professional help right now from the Simmrin Law Group’s DUI lawyers in Los Angeles. Working with a legal team can immediately increase your odds of beating a DUI charge. Contact us by calling (310) 896-2723 or filling out our online contact form to learn more.
We’re ready to go over the best ways to handle your DUI charges today with a FREE initial case evaluation.