DUI Attorney and the Law

The DUI attorney is a legal professional who represents individuals who are charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances. Each state usually has their own specific laws with regards to the severity of their punishment for any offense of this nature as well as the factors that need to be considered when charging someone with it. The lawyer who specializes in this field of law needs to be aware of the laws pertaining to the offense. Since each state may have different aspects when it comes to charges and punishment, it is important the legal representative be familiar with the ones that are in the state where he or she is practicing. This particular offense is limited to people who are behind the wheel of any vehicle or form of transportation that is in public streets and roads.

It is important that the person who is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances also be aware of his or her rights when stopped by police officers. While it is understood that when under the influence of either alcohol or drugs that the person may not be as coherent and well behaved as he or she usually is; there should still be a degree of decorum and good behavior when addressing a police officer. The DUI attorney will recommend acting well and behaving well when faced with police officers who will be conducting tests to determine the blood alcohol level of the individual. The level should not exceed .08 on the breathalyzer in order not to be eligible for the driving under the influence offense. Experts discourage drinking any alcoholic beverage on an empty stomach since this can directly affect the person and shoot to the bloodstream. On a full stomach, most of the beverage is absorbed by the food thus making the blood have a slightly lower blood alcohol count. While a breathalyzer has been known to produce false results depending on the medication taken just a few hours ago and other factors, this may prompt the officers to ask the client to accompany them to the station. Remember that driving and owning a vehicle is "implied consent" to taking the BAC test and the individual cannot actually decline this.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the DUI attorney includes but is not limited to representing the client and trying to have the charges dropped or reduced. Since the client may have endangered the lives of many people by driving under the influence the charges may be heavier depending on the result of this action. The lawyer is also obliged to prepare the necessary paperwork and documentation to be given to the court if the case would proceed there. The DUI attorney should also be able to give sound counsel and advice to the client in order to guide the person who hired him through the legal process of extricating him from the charges or at the very least, reducing the punishment or charges filed against him.