If you get arrested for drinking and driving, you could face serious consequences. These may include significant fines, loss of your driving privileges and the requirement to spend time in jail.
You may be subject to these consequences if, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, you drive with a blood alcohol content level of 0.08% or above. After you get pulled over for DUI, there are many defenses you can use to mitigate the charges against you.
1. Improper stop by law enforcement
A law enforcement official cannot arbitrarily pull you over and arrest you for drinking and driving. If you believe that the law enforcement official did not have a reason to pull you over for DUI, you could use this to defend your case.
2. Certain medical conditions or medications
Some medical conditions and medications can mimic the symptoms of drunkenness and even skew the results of a sobriety test. For example, neurological issues and fatigue can lead to slurred speech while allergies and sinus troubles can cause watery, red eyes.
3. Failure to follow protocol for field sobriety tests
Law enforcement officials must follow protocol when conducting field sobriety tests. If a law enforcement official does not follow necessary protocol, this can lead to the suppression of evidence.
These are just a few examples of defenses to drinking and driving charges. After you get arrested for DUI, it is important to remember that your case is not hopeless and there is likely a defense you can use.