DUI Attorney: Can They Get Your Charges Reduced?

Meason & Morris Law discusses DUI Attorney: Can They Get Your Charges Reduced?

Getting arrested for a DUI is a scary experience. You may be worried about going to jail, losing your driver's license, or having a criminal record. You may also be wondering if a DUI attorney can really help you. The answer is yes.

A DUI attorney can help you in many ways. They can help you understand the charges against you. They can help you build a strong defense. And they can help you get your charges reduced or even dismissed.

At Meason & Morris Law, we understand what you are going through. We have helped many people who have been charged with a DUI. We know how to build a strong defense. We also know how to negotiate with prosecutors to get the best possible outcome for our clients. This guide will show you how a DUI attorney can help you get your charges reduced or dismissed. It will also give you a realistic idea of what to expect.

Understanding DUI Charges and Potential Outcomes

A DUI charge means that you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The penalties for a DUI can be very serious. They can include jail time, fines, and a driver's license suspension. The penalties will depend on the facts of your case. They will also depend on whether you have had a DUI before.

If this is your first DUI, you may be able to get your charges reduced. You may also be able to get into a diversion program. A diversion program is a program that allows you to avoid a criminal conviction. If you complete the program successfully, your charges will be dismissed.

If you have had a DUI before, the penalties will be more severe. You may face a longer jail sentence, a larger fine, and a longer driver's license suspension. It will also be more difficult to get your charges reduced.

It is important to remember that every case is different. The outcome of your case will depend on the facts of your case. It will also depend on the skill of your attorney. An experienced DUI attorney can help you get the best possible outcome for your case.

Yes, DUI Attorneys Can Get Charges Reduced or Dismissed

It is true that DUI attorneys can get charges reduced or dismissed. It happens more often than you might think. But it is not a guarantee. The success of your case will depend on many factors. These factors include the facts of your case, the evidence against you, and the skill of your attorney.

A DUI attorney can help you in many ways. They can review the evidence against you. They can look for weaknesses in the prosecutor's case. They can also negotiate with the prosecutor to get your charges reduced. In some cases, they may even be able to get your charges dismissed.

It is important to have realistic expectations. A DUI attorney cannot make promises about the outcome of your case. But they can give you an honest assessment of your case. They can also help you understand your options. With the help of a DUI attorney, you can make the best decisions for your future.

There are many factors that can affect whether your charges can be reduced or dismissed. These include the strength of the evidence against you, whether this is your first DUI, and whether there were any problems with how the police handled your case. A good DUI attorney will look at all of these factors. They will then develop a strategy to get you the best possible outcome.

How DUI Attorneys Challenge the Traffic Stop

One of the first things a DUI attorney will do is look at the traffic stop. The police must have a good reason to stop you. This is called reasonable suspicion. If the police did not have a good reason to stop you, the stop may be illegal. If the stop was illegal, any evidence that was collected after the stop may be thrown out. This is called the exclusionary rule.

For example, let's say that the police stopped you because you were leaving a bar. This is not a good reason to stop you. Leaving a bar is not against the law. If the police stopped you for this reason, the stop was illegal. Any evidence that was collected after the stop, such as a breath test, may be thrown out. This could lead to your charges being dismissed.

Another example is a DUI checkpoint. The police can set up DUI checkpoints to check for drunk drivers. But they must follow certain rules. For example, they must stop cars at random. They cannot stop every car that they want to. If the police did not follow the rules, the checkpoint may be illegal. Any evidence that was collected at the checkpoint may be thrown out.

A DUI attorney can review the facts of your case to see if the traffic stop was legal. If it was not, they can file a motion to suppress the evidence. If the motion is granted, the evidence will be thrown out. This could lead to your charges being dismissed.

Challenging Field Sobriety Tests

Field sobriety tests are tests that the police use to see if you are drunk. There are three standardized tests. These are the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the walk-and-turn test, and the one-leg stand test.

These tests are not always accurate. There are many things that can affect the results of these tests. For example, if you have a medical condition, it may be difficult for you to do these tests. If you are nervous, you may also have trouble with these tests. The police officer may also make mistakes when they are giving you the tests.

The horizontal gaze nystagmus test checks for involuntary eye movements. But many things can cause these eye movements besides alcohol. Medical conditions, certain medications, and even fatigue can cause your eyes to move involuntarily. The walk-and-turn test and the one-leg stand test check your balance and coordination.

But if you are overweight, elderly, or have an injury, you may have trouble with these tests even if you are not drunk. The weather and the surface you are standing on can also affect your performance. If it is dark, raining, or the ground is uneven, you may have trouble with these tests.

A DUI attorney can challenge the results of your field sobriety tests. They can argue that the tests were not accurate. They can also argue that the police officer did not give you the tests correctly. If the attorney is successful, the results of the tests may be thrown out. This could help you get your charges reduced or dismissed.

Challenging Chemical Test Results

Chemical tests are tests that measure your blood alcohol content (BAC). There are two types of chemical tests. These are breath tests and blood tests.

Breath tests are the most common type of chemical test. They are not always accurate. There are many things that can affect the results of a breath test. For example, if you have a medical condition, it may affect the results of the test. The breathalyzer machine may also not be working properly.

Breathalyzer machines must be calibrated regularly. If the machine was not calibrated correctly, the results may not be accurate. The police officer must also be trained to use the machine. If they did not use it correctly, the results may not be accurate.

There are also things that can cause a false positive on a breath test. For example, if you have acid reflux or you recently used mouthwash, the test may show that you have a higher BAC than you actually do. This is called mouth alcohol contamination.

Blood tests are more accurate than breath tests. But they are not perfect. There are many things that can affect the results of a blood test. For example, the blood sample may not be drawn correctly. The blood sample may also be contaminated.

A DUI attorney can challenge the results of your chemical test. They can argue that the test was not accurate. They can also argue that the test was not done correctly. If the attorney is successful, the results of the test may be thrown out. This could help you get your charges reduced or dismissed.

Negotiating Reduced Charges

In many DUI cases, it is possible to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor. A plea bargain is an agreement between you and the prosecutor. In a plea bargain, you agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge. In exchange, the prosecutor agrees to drop the more serious charge.

For example, you may be able to plead guilty to a charge of reckless driving. This is often called a "wet reckless." A wet reckless is a less serious charge than a DUI. The penalties for a wet reckless are not as severe as the penalties for a DUI. You may face a shorter jail sentence, a smaller fine, and a shorter driver's license suspension. A wet reckless also does not carry the same stigma as a DUI conviction.

Another option is a "dry reckless." A dry reckless is a reckless driving charge that does not involve alcohol. The penalties for a dry reckless are even less severe than the penalties for a wet reckless. A dry reckless is the best possible outcome if you cannot get your charges dismissed. However, prosecutors are less likely to agree to a dry reckless than a wet reckless.

A DUI attorney can help you negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor. They can argue that the evidence against you is weak. They can also argue that you are a good candidate for a plea bargain. If the attorney is successful, you may be able to get your charges reduced.

Alternative Outcomes and Diversion Programs

If you are a first-time offender, you may be able to get into a diversion program. A diversion program is a program that allows you to avoid a criminal conviction. If you complete the program successfully, your charges will be dismissed.

Diversion programs are not available in all states. They are also not available for all types of DUI cases. A DUI attorney can help you find out if you are eligible for a diversion program. If you are, they can help you get into the program.

There are also other alternative outcomes that may be available to you. For example, you may be able to get a deferred adjudication. A deferred adjudication is an agreement between you and the prosecutor. In a deferred adjudication, you agree to plead guilty to the charge. But the judge does not find you guilty. Instead, the judge places you on probation. If you complete the probation successfully, your charges will be dismissed.

A DUI attorney can help you explore all of your options. They can help you find the best possible outcome for your case.

What to Expect When Working with a DUI Attorney

When you hire a DUI attorney, you can expect them to do several things for you. First, they will meet with you to discuss your case. They will ask you questions about what happened. They will also review any paperwork that you have.

Next, your attorney will investigate your case. They will gather evidence. They will also talk to witnesses. They will be looking for weaknesses in the prosecutor's case.

After your attorney has investigated your case, they will meet with you to discuss your options. They will give you an honest assessment of your case. They will also help you decide what to do.

If you decide to fight the charges, your attorney will represent you in court. They will file motions. They will also cross-examine witnesses. They will do everything they can to get your charges reduced or dismissed.

If you decide to plead guilty, your attorney will negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor. They will try to get you the best possible deal.

The DUI process can be long and complicated. It is important to have an experienced DUI attorney on your side. An attorney can help you navigate the process. They can also help you get the best possible outcome for your case.

Conclusion

If you have been charged with a DUI, it is important to remember that you have options. You do not have to plead guilty. An experienced DUI attorney can help you fight the charges. They can help you get your charges reduced or even dismissed.

At Meason & Morris Law, we are dedicated to helping people who have been charged with a DUI. We have the experience and the knowledge to help you get the best possible outcome for your case. We will fight for you every step of the way. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you protect your future.

---

Meason & Morris Law is a legal firm led by seasoned attorneys Marty Meason and Chris Morris. We provide a professional experience for all our clients, helping them navigate their legal rights. We focus on Criminal Justice Law (felonies and misdemeanors), Divorce and Family Law, Expungement and Felony Law, Probate Law and also have Trial experience. Serving Washington County, Nowata County, Osage County, Rogers County, Payne County, Pawnee County, and Kay County in Oklahoma.

Meason & Morris Law

515 Delaware Ave

Bartlesville, OK 74003

918-336-6300