Being charged with DUI is a serious matter and can carry severe penalties if you are found guilty. Of course the best course of action is to avoid driving under the influence all together, but should you find yourself facing charges of DUI then you need to hire a Tampa DUI attorney as soon as possible. You are entitled to represent yourself in court, but given that DUI cases are very complex hiring a qualified attorney is advised.
When it comes to defending your case your Tampa DUI attorney will look at the evidence against you and how it has been obtained. Evidence in DUI cases involves complicated medical and scientific tests to compile results which show you were under the influence at the time of arrest. These tests include field sobriety tests conducted by the police officer who stopped you and the blood alcohol test taken to show the levels of alcohol in your blood stream.
The results of these tests can determine whether you are charged or not, but they should be carried out by personnel qualified and trained to do so and in line with procedures laid down under law. It is these areas that your attorney will look at. Proving that either procedures were not adhered to or that the personnel involved were not qualified can lead to evidence being admissible in court or the case being dismissed entirely.
Your attorney will be able to understand and interpret these results and the way in which they were carried out far better than you could which is why it is so often advisable to hire a lawyer in the first place to take on your case. If you have previous convictions for DUI then it is even more important that you seek the services of a Tampa DUI attorney as the penalties for repeat offenses can be harsh.
Aside from building your defense, your attorney will be able to advise and support you throughout the court process, informing you of the processes involved, the law as it relates to your case and the likely penalty you could get. They will also manage your case for you from start to finish, including paperwork, communication with officials and prosecutors and of course representing you in court and at meetings with the DMV.
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