In California, charges of driving under the influence (DUI) often arise not just from DUI checkpoints or law enforcement waiting outside drinking establishments but frequently from officers observing what they perceive as erratic driving. As a result, an officer may switch on their lights, stop the driver, and in the blink of an eye, an arrest for DUI is made.
A prosecutor typically opens a DUI case with a statement from the arresting officer, who will argue that your driving style suggested possible intoxication from alcohol or drugs. The officer may cite speeding, weaving between lanes, or neglecting to stop at a stop sign as evidence that you were likely drunk or drug-impaired. Why else would you be driving that way? There are a number of ways to respond to this accusation. Contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 to get help from an attorney.
Bad Driving Does Not Necessarily Imply Drunk Driving
As a seasoned DUI defense attorney in Orange County can illustrate, most traffic violations are committed by sober individuals. The same officer may admit during cross-examination that you exhibited safe driving behaviors. Perhaps you veered slightly into another lane while adjusting the radio, or slowed down as you were trying to locate a specific address before regaining the correct speed. Even distraction from your phone can lead to driving errors, but this is distinct from DUI.
A competent DUI defense attorney in Orange County might even get the arresting officer to concede that driving behaviors are not reliable indicators of DUIs. After all, poor driving doesn’t necessarily equate to intoxication. Some individuals are just careless or inept drivers — a separate issue from DUI in California.
The Truth About Using Driving Patterns to Predict DUIs
Interestingly, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that only 35% of DUIs are predicted through driving patterns. These modest figures can be leveraged by your Orange County DUI defense attorney to demonstrate that the officer’s observations don’t conclusively prove you were intoxicated.
This argument is particularly beneficial if your case isn’t centered on exceeding the legal limit of 0.08% blood alcohol content (BAC). Prosecutors might press DUI charges if they believe you weren’t driving with “the caution characteristic of a sober person.” In such a scenario, your lawyer can utilize your erratic driving—or even a momentary lapse of attention—to contest the claim of DUI.
Contact Us Now for Help
At Chambers Law Firm, our attorneys bring years of experience in defending clients charged with DUIs. We pledge to vigorously challenge unfair accusations and strive to secure the most favorable outcome. Get in touch with us today at 714-760-4088 or via email at dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation.
