An Arizona DUI lawyer can help you determine whether your rights have been violated by a police officer who pulled you over as a result of a DUI arrest. For a first time offender, having an attorney defending you can help a lot because they have strategies which can help reduce penalties or prison time that you might experience.
Having an experienced Arizona attorney at your side if you are charged with DUI offense provides several benefits. In Arizona, DUI sanctions and sentence are determined by the amount of blood alcohol content in your body. Of course, you cannot interpret and determine the outcome of BAC in your body so it pays to have an attorney representing you.
Another scenario where a DUI lawyer can come in handy is in differentiating “per se” BAC level and an enhanced penalty BAC level. The second level entails stiffer penalties as well as longer jail time and license revocation.
When a police officer pulls you over for DUI, they will usually look for signals such as erratic driving, crossing the center line, weaving, and unusually wide turning radiuses. Once the car has stopped, the police officer will look for additional signs of intoxication like a flushed face, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, instability, disorientation, or inappropriate behavior.
In addition, the police officer may conduct coordination tests to determine if you are indeed intoxicated. An example of such test is the horizontal gate nystagmus wherein the police officer will have follow the penlight with your eyes. The police officer will know that you are intoxicated when your eyes begin to jerk. Your lawyer can help determine the legality of this procedure and question the practice.
Another potential test that they can conduct is a hand/eye coordination test. If you are a first time offender, you should not allow yourself to be subjected to this kind of test. However, you should agree to chemical tests.
When looking for an Arizona DUI attorney, make sure that you understand their terms and conditions. Likewise, you need to determine the costs of their service. The common practice is for lawyers to charge a contingency fee which means that they will only collect their fees when your case is successful. But there may be other charges involve so you need to clarify this.
Getting an Arizona DUI lawyer can help you get through the stiff penalties and laws in the state. They will do everything to make sure that you get the most favorable outcome from your case.
My son has a DUI, a 2nd one in few months and has to show up at the police station for finger printing. We would like to know his options.
Thank you.
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