California DUI Laws are so strict that the state leads the nation in



DUI arrests. There were almost 200,000 people arrested for DUI in

California alone last year. When a person is arrested on DUI charges

in Florida, he has approximately ten days to ask for a hearing with the

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to protect

his license from being confiscated permanently.

Most people think that if they get pulled over for DUI, and are below

the legal limit, that the officer will let them go or they will only be

fined and not charged. Actually, an arrest for DUI can be made at any

blood alcohol level.

The physical evidence of drunk driving includes slurred speech;

inability to perform normal activities like standing, walking, or

turning; red, glassy, bloodshot eyes; dilated pupils; and odor of alcohol

on the breath.

Some DUI defense attorneys report that breathalyzers used by law

enforcement do not accurately measure alcohol -- and thus may

produce falsely high "blood alcohol" readings. Additionally, diabetics

with low blood sugar can have high levels of acetone, which is "seen"

as alcohol by breathalyzers.

If convicted, the DUI can render the defendant financially, socially,

and psychologically impoverished and impaired. However, it is possible

to have DUI records cleared in almost all states.

Many people charged with DUI want to know what a DUI attorney can

do for them.

A well-qualified and professional DUI attorney can help to minimize

the severity of DUI records and in some cases they can eliminate your

DUI records completely.

A DUI attorney can check the case against you for errors, have

samples independently analyzed, move to suppress certain evidence,

arrange for expert testimony and witnesses, contest license

suspensions and negotiate reduced penalties and sentences. DUI

attorneys have to be knowledgeable and well versed in subjects such

as blood analysis, breath tests, drug recognition evaluation and urine

tests.

MISLEADING STATEMENTS BY POLICE OFFICERS

Any misleading statement by the police regarding the consequences of

taking (or refusing) a blood, breath, or urine test can cause the

suspension to be reversed and removed from the driver's record.

Think all policemen are 'officer friendly'? Think they're all honest?

Think again. I've known several policemen in different parts of the

country and you'd be surprised at some of their 'tricks of the trade'

that they routinely utilize. Keep in mind that these cops were personal

friends of mine and bragged about some of the things they did -

A) If you want to cause problems for a driver you've pulled over, cite

him for DUI and write in your report that when asked for his

registration and proof of insurance, the driver seemed confused and

disoriented. The fact of the matter is that most everyone stores these

documents in their glove compartment, along with lots of other papers

and miscellaneous junk. Of course, it will take anyone a couple of

minutes to find the requested papers, but reporting that the driver

appeared confused and disoriented will go a long way in convincing a

judge that the driver was indeed impaired.

B) If a cop wants to make some extra cash, he'll check the record of

anyone he pulls over for drunk driving. If the driver has had previous

DUI convictions, he's the perfect target for a big cash bribe. He's given

the choice of being cited for a second or third DUI, or he can pay a

'fine' in cash, directly to the cop. Given the choice of heavy DUI

penalties or paying the cop, many drivers will fork over the cash.

C) Sit outside of a banquet hall that's used for wedding receptions. In

almost all cases, there's drinking going on, so whenever anyone

leaves, pull them over, threaten them with a DUI citation and then

offer to let them go if they pay the fine right now.

There are other money-making routines the cops use, but I think you

get the idea. When a cop pulls you over, you're at his mercy.

Since I've had several cops, from different parts of the country, brag

about doing things like this, I have to conclude that such practices are

not just isolated cases.

LACK OF PROBABLE CAUSE TO ARREST

A police officer must have specific and supportable facts to support any

arrest for DUI, or the suspension will be reversed and the evidence

suppressed at trial. In simple terms, you shouldn't be pulled over for

DUI just because you're driving a red sports car.