If you have been charged with a DUI in Destin, you probably have a lot of questions. One of them might be whether there is any way to get the DUI charge knocked down to Reckless Driving, or dismissed altogether. If so, you are not alone. It’s one of the most common questions that clients ask me.
We know you’re worried about the possible consequences if you are convicted of DUI – about how it will affect your ability to drive, and what impact it will have on your career. If you’re in the military, you already know how devastating a DUI conviction can be.
At Flaherty & Merrifield, my #1 responsibility is to fight for the very best possible result for every client, in every case. How does this apply to DUI cases? In every DUI case I defend in Destin, I try to get the charge either reduced or dismissed.
Here are a few steps I take in all of my DUI cases:
Investigate The Traffic Stop
I will look for factual and legal issues that could support the basis for a Motion To Suppress Evidence. I will investigate whether the officer had a sufficient basis to stop your vehicle. I will also examine whether the officer had enough evidence to detain you and hold you for field sobriety testing. In order to do this, I will need to carefully review the police reports, witness statements, and any video evidence that may exist.
Attack The Field Sobriety Tests
Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) are an area of controversy because they are so subjective. Essentially, it is up to the officer to decide whether you “passed” or not. Obviously, that is open to interpretation, especially in a situation where the person making the decision is biased against you.
Challenge The Breath Test
For a lot of so-called “DUI Experts” in Destin, if their client “blew” over the limit, it’s game over. They simply accept the evidence at face value and plead their clients guilty. Needless to say, that is not how I operate here at Flaherty & Merrifield.
Challenging Intoxilyzer 8000 results is by far the most technical part of defending a DUI case. Understanding how breath alcohol is measured, and how the Intoxilyzer operates, gives us the ability to look for flaws or problems with this evidence. If these flaws are serious enough, it could possibly lead to the breath alcohol results being suppressed.
How Do I Pick The Right DUI Attorney In Destin?
At Flaherty & Merrifield, I have been practicing DUI and criminal defense exclusively since 2001. I know the Judges and the Prosecutors and I can offer you specific advice about how that affects your case.
If getting the best possible result is important to you, you need a DUI defense lawyer that you feel comfortable with. You need an attorney who will develop and execute an effective strategy to obtain the best result possible.
Contact a Destin DUI Attorney
If you or a loved one have been charged with a DUI in Destin, call Flaherty & Merrifield today at (850) 403-6835 for a free consultation.
