As the experience of NBA coach Mike Budenholzer shows, if you have been wrongfully charged with a DUI, hiring an experienced DUI defense attorney can help prove your innocence.
In many cases, if you have been charged with a DUI, you may have been too intoxicated to drive safely. But other times, you may have consumed some alcohol — but were far from intoxicated and were not too impaired to drive. In either case, having a knowledgeable DUI defense lawyer on your side can make the difference between a DUI conviction on your record — and having the charges dismissed or being acquitted at trial. A recent case involving a NBA coach shows how important it is to be able to put together a good defense to a DUI charge.
The Budenholzer Case
In August 2013, the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks Mike Budenholzer was stopped for driving without his headlights on at night. The officer noted that his eyes were red and glassy, and so he asked Budenholzer to take a breathalyzer. Budenholzer refused, and was arrested. A video of the arrest showed that Budenholzer had difficulty walking in a straight line. The police never administered a chemical test to Budenholzer to show his level of intoxication.
The prosecution seemed to have a slam-dunk case: a lawful reason to pull Budenholzer over (driving without headlights), signs of intoxication (red and glassy eyes), refusal to take a breathalyzer, and trouble walking in a straight line. But Budenholzer knew that he had only consumed one glass of wine during dinner before driving, and was determined to fight the charge.
With the help of a skilled attorney, Budenholzer presented expert testimony from a doctor to prove that he suffers from a medical condition that causes his eyes to be red. He also provided evidence that he had ankle surgery, which can make it difficult for him to walk in a straight line. Finally, his friend and former co-worker testified that he only had one glass of wine at dinner. Based on all of this evidence, the jury found that Budenholzer was not guilty of driving under the influence — and decided that he only needed to pay a fine for his defective headlights.
How a Seasoned Los Angeles County DUI Attorney Can Help You
A DUI is a serious charge, and it can have significant consequences for your personal and professional life — and even result in jail time. If you have been charged with a DUI, a skilled Los Angeles County DUI attorney can analyze the facts of the case and review the law to find both factual and legal defenses to the charge. They can find and retain experts on your behalf, and gather evidence to prove that you were not actually driving while intoxicated. This can often result in having the charges reduced or dismissed before trial — or an acquittal if you go to trial.
If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Los Angeles County, hire an attorney who has broad experience handling these cases. Contact the Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to set up a free initial consultation, and learn how attorney Dan E. Chambers can help protect your legal rights!
