Were you pulled over and arrested on suspicion of drunk driving here in Illinois? The officer more than likely told you that your breath test indicated your blood alcohol content was .08 or higher and/or you failed a field sobriety test. This might persuade you to plead guilty to a DUI or DWI, but don’t be hasty. Just because you were arrested does not mean that a conviction will result.
An investigation into your arrest could reveal important facts that could result in a reduction or dismissal of the charges. Questions regarding the legality of the traffic stop, the administration of field sobriety and breath tests and any other details need to be answered before moving forward. Of course, Illinois law enforcement officials are human, and they make mistakes.
Issues with the calibration and maintenance of a breath machine or the equipment used to analyze a blood sample could alter the results of those tests, which might invalidate them. Field sobriety tests are notoriously unreliable. Numerous physical factors could cause an individual to fail them. Furthermore, anytime you come into contact with law enforcement officials, you have rights. If those rights were violated, any charges filed against you might not stand.
These are just some of the issues surrounding a potential DUI or DWI charge. It would be in your best interest to quickly exercise your right to be represented by counsel before saying or doing anything. An attorney will advise you of your rights, conduct an investigation into the incident that led to your arrest and help you determine the best way to resolve the situation.
