Posts Tagged ‘DWI Case’

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6 Sure Signs to win your DWI Case

Posted on May 17, 2010

Just because you have been charged with a DWI, it means that you are condemned to losing your DWI case. DWI lawyers are trained in the application of DWI laws and are always on the hunt to find cracks in the armor of the prosecutor’s case. This may result in you paying a minimal fee or have the case brought against dropped completely.

Many factor play a role in you winning your DWI case. These range from mistakes made by the arresting officer to the tactic employed by the prosecutor. While s good DWI lawyer will be able to easily identify the signs of the case falling apart, it is also important for you the client to be able to identify these signs also. This will let you know if your attorney is really trying to help you. Some of the tell tail signs that you are winning your DWI case include:

1. Lack of probable cause:

If your arresting officer is unable to produce evidence as to why you were pulled over in the first place, your attorney can apply to move a motion for the case to be thrown out on the basis of lack of probable cause. It is responsibility of the officer to produce this evidence, as the burden of proof is not on your shoulders.

2. Police officer failed to read you your rights:

By law, the arresting office must read your rights when making an arrest. If you can prove that this was not done, then the prosecution will be backed into a corner as one of your fundamental rights has been violated. An experienced DWI lawyer will then exploit this fact and have the entire case thrown out.

3. False reading from breath alcohol test:

A false reading on a breathalyzer machine is a dagger to the heart of any DWI case. If you are sure you had not been drinking, but you still blew a 0.8, then resort to a blood test to prove your innocence. Once the blood test does not correspond with the breathalyzer reading, the case is dead and you are on your way to win your DWI case.

4. Arresting officer refuse to appear in court:

The failure of your arresting officer to attend court sessions may help you in winning your DWI case. Judges are very annoyed at cops who play this game and at some point in time, the judge’s patience will be exceeded. When this time comes, your case will be thrown out.

5. Arresting cop keeps telling you to “blow hard”:

When doing a breathalyzer test, only normal breaths are required. It is a known fact that if successive heavy breaths are made with a breathalyzer machine, it will indicate a higher blood content level than the true value. Therefore, if this occurred during your field sobriety test, it can be a good sign of your ability to win your DWI case.

6. Arrest racial related:

Many individuals are profiled and arrested based on their ethnicity. If the arresting officer has a record of racial discrimination and this can be proven in court, a good DWI will be able to use this to win your DWI case.

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My West Virginia DWI Attorney Got My Charges Dropped!

Posted on Mar 31, 2010

The DWI laws of West Virginia are similar other states and when arrested for suspected DWI you will be charged with two separate cases. These cases are criminal court case where you will face penalties like jail, fines, educational programs, an ignition interlock fixed to your vehicle if needed and suspension of your driving license and a Division of Motor Vehicles case where you will lose your driving privilege.

If you want to save your license after an arrest for West Virginia DWI, you need to contact a qualified West Virginia DWI defense attorney. When arrested for DWI in West Virginia, according to the implied consent law, you will have to submit to blood or breathalyzer test for alcohol content. If you refuse to take the test after an arrest, the DMV administrative action will ensure that your driving privilege will be suspended for one year to life. West Virginia does not criminalize the refusal to test following a West Virginia DWI arrest but there is no work permit available following a DMV action in West Virginia.

According to West Virginia drinking and driving law, there is a look-back period of 10 years which indicates that if you have a DWI conviction more than 10 years before the current case, the current DWI will be prosecuted and considered as a first offense. If there is a DWI conviction within 10 years of the current case, it will be prosecuted as a second-offense DWI, leading to much more punishment for conviction of a DWI than the first offense. It does not matter if it was 9 years and 364 days, the second offense will still stick.

A West Virginia DWI Attorney can really help you

In a case of DWI, a good DWI Defense Attorney can make all the difference in the result of your case. You need to ensure that you have hired a capable DWI lawyer by checking their credentials. They should be specialized in solving DWI cases and you can find out their details by interviewing them. Most offer a free initial consultation before you decide to hire them.

If you have been involved in a prior DWI conviction in West Virginia, the extent of penalties will be even more than the first time. You should be extra cautious when trying to navigate the courts or speak to a prosecutor without the advice of an experienced attorney. DWI laws are quite complicated and involve many codes and statutes. It is advisable to hire a skilled DWI attorney who can help you get out of the mess with a lesser or no penalty.

A good West Virginia DWI Attorney will help you in the following areas:

  • Give an honest evaluation of the case and the likelihood of your being spared the penalties you might have to face as a consequence of the DWI
  • Help you understand the strengths and weaknesses in the case and explain the consequences
  • Give an indication of the amount you will have to spend as part of the case which will includes fees and the projected expenses, fines and any incidental costs so you are aware of how much money to be keep aside
  • Spend adequate time listening to your case
  • Be able to offer guidance on the ways your case needs to evaluated based on scientific as well as medical facts

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DWI Charges in California – Penalties and Punishments

Posted on Feb 12, 2010

A California DWI charge can destroy your life. If you have been arrested for DWI, you need to have a proper understanding of the California criminal court system or you may not be able to protect your driving license. One of the best things you can do is hire an experienced California DWI attorney.

Two Separate Cases

A California DWI arrest leads to two separate cases, one at the Department of Motor Vehicles and another in court. Both these cases are quite serious, especially the one at the Department of Motor Vehicles as it is very deadline oriented. If you are accused of drunk driving in California, you have just ten days from the date of your DWI arrest to request a Department of Motor Vehicles hearing. Your driving license is going to be suspended automatically if you do not request a hearing within ten days of your arrest.

The criminal case filed against you consists of two different statutes. The first one is the California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a), proof of whether you were under the influence of enough alcohol to affect your driving skills. The second one is the Vehicle Code Section 23152 (b) where all the focus is on setting punishments and penalties.

Penalties and Punishments

Any penalties and punishment given by the California court in a DWI case are different from the repercussions possible at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Each time you are caught DWI, you risk having your license suspended for a longer period of time. The first offense means a suspension of four months; the second offense means a suspension of one year and the third offense for two years or more.

Even those who are licensed in other states and are arrested for DWI in the state of California can request a Department of Motor Vehicles hearing to protect their driving license. California is one of 45 states that are actively involved in the Interstate Driver’s License Compact. According to Interstate Driver’s License Compact, states can share details about DWI convictions and driver’s license actions with each other.

Felony DWI Charges

A number of drivers face felony DWI charges after being arrested for drunk driving in California. If you have three prior drunk driving convictions within the last five to six years, you will be charged with a felony after being arrested for the fourth time. Felony charges are also applicable to those individuals that cause injury to another individual regardless of whether it is your first offense or another. A DWI with an injury is commonly known as a wobbler offense in California.

According to California DWI laws, there is a washout period of ten years. This washout period is calculated from your first arrest date to your last arrest date. The penalties in California court for a second or third drunk driving conviction are much stricter in comparison to a first offense.

 
 

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