Facing a first-time Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Texas can be a scary experience, especially if you have never been arrested before. However, it is essential to remember that everyone has the right to a fair defense under our criminal justice system. If you are facing first-time DWI charges, contact an experienced lawyer to ensure you can fight the charges and give yourself a fair chance at obtaining a positive outcome in your case.
Contesting the Traffic Stop
A critical element in a DWI case is the initial traffic stop. More specifically, the reason why you were stopped in the first place. To challenge a first-time DWI charge, your attorney will carefully examine the circumstances surrounding the stop. At this point, your attorney will determine whether the police officer had reasonable suspicion to pull you over. If it is uncovered that the stop was conducted without proper cause, the evidence obtained during the stop may be suppressed, weakening the prosecution’s case against you.
Contesting the Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests are frequently used tests by law enforcement which are used to gauge whether a driver is impaired or not. Contrary to popular belief, these tests are far from always accurate and may not always accurately indicate signs of intoxication. Challenging the validity of field sobriety tests can be a powerful defense strategy. Bad weather, physical limitations of the driver, or even a case of nervousness can dramatically impact a driver’s performance on these tests. A skilled attorney can scrutinize the administration of the field sobriety tests and argue for their unreliability, potentially leading to the exclusion of the evidence from the trial.
...