DUI Defense Strategies

Florida DUI Defense Strategies

Orlando Drunk Driving Defense Attorneys

If you've been charged with drunk driving, your drivers' license and your way of life are at stake. Don't give up without a fight. Talk to a lawyer who really knows how drunk driving cases are handled in the community in which you've been arrested.

Former Prosecutors Protecting the Rights of People Accused of Crimes
Call: (407) 228-3838

At The Umansky Law Firm our DUI defense lawyers have been protecting the driving privileges of Florida residents, tourists, and commercial truck drivers for more than 15 years. We've taken hundreds of cases to trial as defenders and as prosecutors. We've tackled both sides of the DUI case and we put that knowledge to use to protect our clients.

Contact our Orlando or Winter Park law office when you need a strong defense against a first offense or third DUI offense. We represent clients charged with drunk driving in Central Florida in Orange County, Seminole County, Brevard County, Lake County, Polk County, and Hillsborough County.

DUI Defense Strategies

Because the consequences of a DUI / DWI conviction can be costly and serious, it pays to look at every possible defense strategy that may work for you. Many things can go wrong with a DUI case. Here are some of the things our DUI lawyers look at when preparing a drunk driving defense strategy.

Challenge the Police

• Was your DUI stop legal? The police can't just pull you over for no reason at all. The patrol officer has to have a reasonable basis for the traffic stop and it's got to be more than seeing you weave inside your lane (that's not illegal) or someone calling in an anonymous tip.
• Did the police have a right to search your car for alcohol or drugs? Officers can't search a person or a car for a minor traffic offense and they have to ask your permission to search your car, or have probable cause.
• Did the officer fail to tell you your rights? If you weren't told of your Miranda rights, the prosecutor can't use any statements you made as evidence against you.
• Does the officer have a history of problem behavior? A lot rides on the officer's opinion in a DUI case. If the officer isn't credible, if he or she makes misleading statements or inconsistent verbal or written statements, that can work in your favor.

Challenge the Witnesses

• Non-Expert Witnesses: There may be witnesses who can testify on your behalf about your sobriety or the drinks you had earlier in the day.
• Expert Witnesses can review and interpret the sobriety test results if there is a potential problem with the tests.
• State Experts: If the DA doesn't disclose its experts, they can be barred from presenting evidence against you.
• Video: The in-squad video or booking room video may contradict what the police offer has said about your behavior after a DUI arrest.

Challenge the Tests and Test Results

• Field Sobriety Test: Even healthy, sober adults, can fail walking and standing tests 30% of the time. Medical problems, being overweight, and being older can contribute to someone failing the test.
• Invalid Field Sobriety Tests: There are certain tests that are recognized as field sobriety tests - counting backwards, saying the alphabet and finger touching the nose are not always considered a valid test.
• Improperly Administered Field Sobriety Test: A field sobriety test must be done in a certain manner. If the specific procedures are not followed, it may be invalid.
• Breath Tests are inaccurate and most experts agree that they are unreliable on their own. If the breath test operator is unlicensed or their license has expired, the test result is inadmissible.
• Breathalyzer Machines: If the breathalyzer machine is malfunctioning, not calibrated, improperly calibrated, or not approved, the results are inadmissible. If the person administering the test failed to include the value of the simulator solution used in the machine, the results are inadmissible.
• Chemicals that Interfere with Breath Test Results: paint and nail polish contain alcohol and can interfere with test results.
• Blood tests: The police cannot force you to give a blood sample if no one has been injured. If they do, the results are inadmissible. Blood samples should be drawn by a phlebotomist or someone trained in taking blood. Improper processing or storage of blood can result in errors in blood alcohol level test results.
• Timing Issues: The prosecutor has to prove your blood alcohol level or breath alcohol at the time you were driving. Time of alcohol consumption and time of testing can influence your blood alcohol level.

Challenge the Prosecution of Your DUI

• Speedy Trial: You are guaranteed a speedy trial. That means the court has to provide a trial within 90 days for a misdemeanor or 175 days for a felony after you are arrested or the charges may get dismissed.
• Statute of Limitations: The government does not have the right to wait until whenever it wants to file a DUI charge against you. That would be unfair as the longer the government waits the harder it is for you to defend yourself. A charge for drunk driving must be filed against you within a certain time period (which depends upon whether the State is filing misdemeanor or felony DUI charges. Failure to file within that time period may result in your attorney getting the charges against you dismissed.

Medical Reasons for Failing the Field, Breath or Blood Test

• Chemicals that Interfere with Breath Test Results: Asthma medication and cough drops can interfere with test results because they can also contain alcohol.
• Mobility Problems: Medical problems like MS, nerve damage, back and neck injuries, partial paralysis, or inner ear problems can influence field sobriety testing.
• Health Problems: If you suffer from GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease), your breath test results may be inaccurate. Do you have frequent heartburn? You may have an undiagnosed case of GERD.
• Medical Treatment: If you were injured in a car accident and the hospital administered lactated ringer's solution, hospital blood serum results may appear falsely higher.

On the Wrong Side of the Law?
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Call (407) 228-3838

We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express and offer customized payment plans. We represent clients throughout Central Florida, including Orlando, Winter Park, Windermere, Altamonte Springs, Ocoee, Oviedo, Maitland, Celebration, Longwood, Sanford, Kissimmee, and Melbourne.

Learn more about DUI and the law. See our DUI practice center.