Facing DUI Charges? Avoid These 4 Common Errors

A drunk driving conviction can lead to serious penalties, such as fines, community service, and even jail time. As such, it’s important that you do everything you can to avoid this blackmark on your criminal record. Even a single mistake could give the prosecution all the evidence they need to convict you, so you should consider your actions carefully in the wake of an arrest.

In this article, we look at a few mistakes you should avoid during proceedings:

1. Overshooting Important Deadlines

If you were arrested and charged with a DUI, you will have up to 10 days after the arrest to apply to have your license restored. Filing for reinstatement outside of this window will likely result in your request being rejected. Fortunately, a skilled DUI attorney can keep track of any important deadlines on your behalf, taking the necessary steps to ensure that you don’t lose your opportunity to fight the charges.

2. Posting about the Arrest Online

While getting arrested for driving under the influence can be a traumatic experience, turning to family and friends for support on social media could only make matters worse. As part of building the case against you, the prosecution may pore through your social media feeds to find any evidence that could help them convict you.

As such, if you posted about the arrest, they could take your comments out of context to make it seem like you confessed to driving drunk. You should deactivate your accounts until your case is resolved as this may prevent the prosecution from accessing potentially incriminating posts.

3. Presuming You Are Guilty

While the arresting officers might make it seem like a conviction is inevitable, you will always have an opportunity to fight the charges. If you can show that the officers made any mistakes or infringed on your rights, you could have the evidence against you suppressed and the charges dismissed.

For instance, if you are able to obtain proof that shows the officers made errors while conducting chemical tests, the results of such tests could be ruled inadmissible. Alternatively, if you can demonstrate that the officers did not have probable cause to stop you, any evidence they obtained during this illegal stop could be thrown out.

4. Driving without a License

If your license was suspended, you should never get behind the wheel. An additional arrest while your case is pending could result in the judge revoking your DUI bond, likely leaving you stuck behind bars for the duration of proceedings.

Speak to a DUI Defense Attorney in Port St. Lucie, Florida

Were you recently arrested for drunk driving? Todd A. Kawecki is a skilled DUI lawyer who can help protect your rights in the weeks ahead. With experience working as prosecutor, Todd is intimately familiar with Florida’s laws, statutes, and court proceedings. He can investigate the arrest, help gather evidence to build your defense, and provide tenacious representation throughout proceedings. Dial 772-485-4500 or click through to our contact page HERE to request a free consultation.